Sliema Wanderers 0
Valletta 2
The third skirmish of the season between Valletta and Sliema Wanderers was a high-pressure affair for both teams. Six points off the pace, the stellar but underperforming Sliema needed a win to avoid slipping out of contention for the title while Valletta wanted the three points to get back on top of the standings after Marsaxlokk had temporarily dislodged them from the summit.
The National Stadium was awash with experienced, battle-hardened players for this fixture but centre-stage was taken by one of the youngest players on view, Valletta's Frank Temile. The wonderkid produced another superb performance to power the Citizens to a deserved 2-0 victory which all but ends Sliema's hopes of winning the league.
Just as happened last week when Temile settled a tight derby against Floriana on the stroke of half-time, yesterday the 17-year-old struck again just before the break.
If the opening half had been a balanced fight, the second one wasn't as Valletta looked the part as prospective champions with a top-notch showing.
Indeed, the Citizens' display vindicated the work of their coach Paul Zammit as his team were not only adventurous going forward but they also maintained tactical shape throughout.
Zammit had made two changes from the team he fielded in the 1-0 success over Floriana as Heiner Backhaus and left-back Steve Bezzina were handed a recall after suspension. They were preferred to Stefan Giglio and Bryan Agius.
The one-match ban imposed on Ivan Woods put a further strain on Sliema's limited attacking options.
With Etienne Barbara still serving a club suspension, Stephen Azzopardi opted for Orosco Anonam as the focal point of his team's attack with Roderick Briffa and Matthew Bartolo pushing on from the wings.
Valletta had an early claim for a penalty when Temile, darting into the box, appeared to be slightly pushed by Alex Muscat. Referee Paul Caruana was unmoved.
Sliema's reply produced a corner by Roderick Bajada from which Briffa's header was too central to worry Andrew Hogg in goal.
That glimmer of a chance for Sliema preceded a tepid interlude of play but the boredom was interrupted on 32 minutes when Valletta were awarded a free-kick for a late challenge by Scerri on Gilbert Agius.
David Camilleri swerved the ball past Sliema's wall but his effort lacked the power to trouble Henry Bonello who kept Murphy Akanji out of Sliema's starting formation for the third successive game.
As the first half entered its final 10 minutes, Sliema tried to put more speed and conviction into their forward running but their efforts produced no tangible rewards.
On their part, Valletta tried to break the ice from a set-piece but Agius's free-kick went wide. Less than two minutes from the end of the first half, the Citizens would have broken the stalemate but for a fine Bonello save. He showed excellent reflexes and positioning when palming away Sebastian Monesterolo's high-riser from close range.
By way of response, Sliema fashioned two shots. Anonam's effort from inside the box was blocked by Josef Mifsud and Bartolo was just wide with a grounder.
Just when it looked as though the first half would end goalless, Valletta struck.
Ian Zammit was the provider with a perfect delivery from the right and Monesterolo timed his leap to perfection only to see Bonello keep out his goalbound header. However, the danger was not over yet for Sliema as the ball dropped at the feet of Temile who stabbed it home with typical nonchalance.
Three minutes after the changeover, Bajada guided a free-kick towards Said but Mifsud slid in to dispossess the Sliema defender.
Offensive chants aimed at Stephen Azzopardi by a section of Valletta fans had the Sliema coach shaking his hand in disgust.
Briffa threatened to level matters for Sliema when Andre Rocha Da Silva set him in the box but the Sliema schemer's effort was deflected away by the encroaching City defenders.
At the other end, Monesterolo spurned a glorious opportunity when shooting tamely at Bonello after the Argentine had been sent clear by an eye-of-the-needle pass from Agius.
Another swift City counter-attack saw the precocious Temile storming forward down the right before he picked out Falzon but the latter's flick was easily dealt with by Bonello. The Citizens missed another gilt-edged attempt to double their lead when Agius tried to lob Bonello from an inviting position but his attempt was well read by the goalkeeper.
Three minutes from time, Valletta killed off Sliema's hopes.
Bryan Agius, who had just come on for Bezzina, found Temile with a lofted pass and the pacey Nigerian sprinted towards goal, outfoxed Branko Nisevic and drilled a firm grounder past Bonello.
Sliema: H. Bonello-7, A. Muscat-6, B. Said-6, M. Scerri-6.5, A. Rocha Da Silva-5 ('85 B. Nisevic), R. Bajada-5.5 ('77 I. Ciantar), M. Bartolo-5, J. Chetcuti-6, O. Anonam-5, J. Vella-4.5, R. Briffa-5.5 ('62 C. Ventura).
Valletta: A. Hogg-6.5, J. Grioli-6.5, J. Mifsud-6.5, K. Scicluna-6.5, S. Bezzina-7 ('85 B. Agius), I. Zammit-6 ('46 D. Falzon-6), D. Camilleri-6, H. Backhaus-7, F. Temile-9, G. Agius-7 ('77 S. Giglio), S. Monesterolo-6.
Referee: Paul Caruana.
Scorer: Temile 45, 87.
Yellow cards: Scerri; Muscat; Rocha Da Silva; Temile;
BoV Player of the match: Frank Temile (Valletta).