Birkirkara 0
Valletta 1
Rivals Valletta and Birkirkara came into their first tiff of the 2007-08 season firmly intent on winning to creep closer to the leading pack and reassert themselves as title contenders.
True to expectation, the fans of these two prominent clubs did their best to cheer on their favourites, in so doing creating a high-decibel and colourful atmosphere at the National Stadium.
On the field of play, the two contestants served up a high-octane match that went Valletta's way thanks to an early headed goal by Josef Mifsud who was a colossus in Valletta's defence yesterday.
The Citizens, who have now joined Birkirkara, Hibs and Hamrun on the 12-point mark, enjoyed the better of the first-half exchanges but Birkirkara recovered from a nervy start to seize the initiative after the change of ends but a combination of ill luck, poor finishing and resolute defending by their opponents scuppered their hopes of salvaging a point from this game.
Although Valletta were forced on the backfoot for long stretches in the second half, their brisk first-half display and their never-say-die attitude augur well for the future.
In the absence of Gilbert Agius, still recovering from a torn thigh muscle, the captain's armband was handed to Stefan Giglio.
Midfielder Claude Mattocks was another notable absentee from the Citizens' squad as he is currently sidelined by an ankle problem.
City coach Paul Zammit ended Kenneth Scicluna's enforced exile from the first team, deploying the former Birkirkara defender at the heart of Valletta's four-man rearguard as Steve Bezzina was preferred to Renie Forace at left-back.
Deprived of the services of Central Africa forward Marcelin Tamboulas and club captain Michael Galea, both unavailable, Birkirkara coach John Buttigieg chose Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Alan Tabone to lead his forward line.
The opening exchanges were devoid of creative football and scoring opportunities as both sets of players took a while to get going.
In the 13th minute, Dyson Falzon rose high to meet a cross by Giglio but his header sailed over.
This was the preamble to Valletta's opener which came three minutes later thanks to defender Josef Mifsud who outsmarted the Birkirkara defence with an intelligent sortie into the box to nod Giglio's left-wing cross past the dithering Omar Borg.
Valletta's early supremacy stemmed from the effective work of Giglio and David Camilleri in midfield as well as the slick movement of Nigerian starlet Frank Temile, who often drifted infield from the left channel either to retrieve possession or to free up space for his team-mates.
The Stripes' attacking impact was as good as nil in the opening half hour but on 32 minutes, they nearly levelled matters.
A raking left-wing cross from Lino Galea sailed towards George Mallia whose dipping header landed just wide of the far post.
Mallia missed a glaring opportunity to get Birkirkara back on level terms when, with five minutes of the first half remaining, he surged into the City box to make contact with Shaun Bajada's gem of a cross but his header flew straight into Hogg's hands.
At the start of the second period, Buttigieg introduced Martin Anastasi for Adrian Ciantar who had a quiet first half.
Birkirkara went on the offensive from the outset of the second half, Mifsud Triganza having an effort diverted for a corner after connecting with a cross from right-back Lee Lombardi.
Bajada powered his way through before hitting a rising shot that was headed by Mifsud.
From the resultant corner, Bajada passed to Tabone who floated the ball towards goal where Ron Hartvig rose above friend and foe but his header ricocheted off the crossbar.
Birkirkara continued to call the tune. Pouncing on a loose ball after Mifsud Triganza had been partially dispossessed by the Valletta defenders, Paul Fenech rifled wide.
Sensing Valletta's physical and psychological weaknesses at this delicate stage of the encounter, Birkirkara seized control of midfield and heaped more pressure on their fading opponents.
Mifsud Triganza's overhead kick had the string removed from it by the Valletta defence after fine work by Mallia and Bajada.
In a rare counter-attack, Temile drove forward down the inside-left channel before striking a low shot which hit the side-wrigging.
Zammit tried to add some much-needed energy and steel to his team's engine room by taking off the tiring Giglio in favour of the combative Keith Fenech.
The decision by Buttigieg to end Bajada's participation came as a surprise as the former Marsaxlokk midfielder had been arguably Birkirkara's most productive player in the second half. His place was taken by Joseph Zerafa.
On 77 minutes, Tabone swung over a teasing cross from a free-kick and Mifsud Triganza applied the faintest of touches to the ball but his central effort was neutralised by Hogg.
In the dying stages, Sebastian Monesterolo threatened to apply the killer touch but his howitzer cannoned off the post.
Birkirkara: O. Borg-5, L. Galea-6.5, P. Fenech-5.5, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-4, A. Tabone-5.5, R. Hartvig-5.5, L. Lombardi-5 ('68 R. Sammut-5), S. Bajada-7 ('73 J. Zerafa), G. Mallia-6.5, A. Ciantar-4 ('46 M. Anastasi-5), E. Yanchev-5.5.
Valletta: A. Hogg-7, J. Grioli-6, J. Mifsud-7.5, K. Scicluna-6.5, S. Bezzina-6.5 ('84 R. Forace), D. Falzon-4.5 ('77 I. Zammit), D. Camilleri-6.5, H. Backhaus-5.5, F. Temile-7, S. Giglio-6 ('66 K. Fenech-5.5), S. Monesterolo-5.
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Scorer: Mifsud 16.
Yellow cards: Backhaus; Mifsud; Hogg; Monesterolo; Yantchev.
BoV player of the match: Frank Temile (Valletta).