Valletta 1 Birkirkara 1
Valletta and Birkirkara had to settle for a point each after their second round clash ended one-all this evening.
The result meant that Qormi, 6-2 winners over Floriana on Friday, stayed top on 22 points, one ahead of Valletta and two clear of Birkirkara.
The first half of this much-awaited clash offered little excitement as scoring chances were scarce. Valletta had the best opportunity to open the scoring late in the first half when Gilbert Agius released Terrence Scerri but the latter’s grounder was blocked by Jorge Mora, the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
Two minutes into the second half, Birkirkara moved ahead. Sylvano Comvalius extended his scoring streak when he dashed past Valletta’s Steve Borg and chipped the ball over Hogg.
Valletta pummelled Birkirkara thereafter but the latter repelled wave after wave of attacks.
Scerri and Agius missed the target and Cruyff headed wide but 10 minutes from time, Gilbert Agius put Valletta back on level terms with a fierce shot from inside the penalty area.