Valletta 2
Mifsud 45; Priso 67
Sliema Wanderers 0
The intense pressure on Valletta was palpable throughout this feisty match in which Sliema Wanderers, despite missing four important players, gave their all to frustrate their more-quoted opponents.
For much of the first half, the Citizens were devoid of inspiration as they struggled to break down the resolute Sliema defence. Their chaotic performance incensed the Valletta fans who called on their players to show more fighting spirit but their exhortations appeared to perturb Luke Dimech who got involved in a verbal exchange with his vocal critics.
As the tension escalated in the stands, Michael Mifsud gave City a much-needed tonic by putting his team ahead on the stroke of half-time but this was not enough to placate the fans who continued to barrack Dimech who appeared to take his shirt off as the teams headed for the dressing rooms at half-time. The Valletta defender was red-carded after getting a second booking, leaving his team to plod on with 10 men.
Dimech's sending-off was seen as a blow for the erstwhile misfiring Citizens but the players responded to the setback with a spirited second-half performance that rattled the Blues as Doding Priso capped another influential display with a magnificent goal midway into the second half.
Suspension deprived Marlow of four key players, namely Alex Muscat, Ryan Fenech, Clayton Failla and Mark Scerri. Veteran Noel Turner, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and John Mintoff were handed a first-team recall by Marlow who favoured a 4-4-1-1 approach with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza playing off Julio Alcorse's shoulder.
Jordi Cruyff was the only notable absentee for Valletta. In Cruyff's absence, Kenneth Scicluna reverted to his favoured centre-half role after being deployed at left-back in the 3-1 win over Hibs.
Valletta coach Ton Caanen opted for a two-pronged attack of Mifsud, yesterday playing his first match against his former team since joining the Citizens on a short-term deal, and Terrence Scerri with Priso granted licence to switch from one wing to the other.
Before kick-off, Valletta captain Gilbert Agius was presented with a memento by the Valletta Supporters' Club on the occasion of his 400th league appearance in a City shirt.
After 10 minutes, Mifsud Triganza's pass was diverted into the path of Alcorse whose strike was repelled by Andrew Hogg.
In these early stages, Sliema sought to exploit the speed and off-the-ball movement of their forwards to unsettle the Valletta defence.
At the other end, Josef Mifsud's headed clearance from Jamie Pace's right-wing cross looped dangerously towards goal but Simon Agius, the Sliema goalkeeper, tipped the ball over the bar.
Seconds later, Roderick Briffa's intelligent through-ball from his own half caught the Sliema defence unawares as Priso raced clear but the Cameroonian winger chipped the ball high and wide.
For all their possession, Valletta were finding it hard to create clear openings. On the other hand, Sliema threatened sporadically on the counter. On one occasion, Luke Dimech floored Pedrinho to concede a free-kick in a central position some six metres away from the edge of the box. The Brazilian's shot was too central to trouble Hogg.
Valletta shouted 'penalty' when Mifsud, latching on to a long ball from Steve Borg, ended up on the turf after trying to take the ball past Agius but referee Alan Mario Sant saw nothing wrong.
Scoring chances were few as Sliema, showing plenty of grit, easily held off Valletta's confused efforts, much to the frustration of the City fans who made their feelings known to the players. Amid the whistles, several supporters, especially those in the Millennium Stand, launched a verbal tirade against Dimech.
In first-half stoppage time, Valletta's spirits rose as Mifsud was in the right spot to head Scerri's right-wing cross past Agius from close in.
But, apprehension gripped Valletta when, in a swift attack, Mifsud Triganza ran into the box only to be shoved off the ball by Borg's late intervention. It looked like a clear penalty but the referee deemed otherwise.
In the stands, the Valletta faithful continued to jeer Dimech who appeared to take his shirt off before putting it on again. The former Marsaxlokk centre-half's gesture earned him a second yellow card followed by the red card, meaning that Valletta had to play the entire second half with 10 men.
The rising tension prompted Caanen to march towards the Millennium Stand and urge the fans to calm down.
The City coach responded to his team's numerical disadvantage by switching Borg from right-back to centre-half and shifting Briffa to patrol the right flank.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Agius did well to block Scerri's header as Valletta surged forward with renewed zest despite being down to 10 men.
Valletta's brisk start to the second half produced a deserved goal on 67 minutes. And what a goal it was as Priso, having retrieved possession in his own half, embarked on a dazzling run down the left wing and into the Sliema box from where he despatched a curling shot past the diving Agius.
As Sliema's reaction failed to materialise, Valletta easily held on to their two-goal advantage to reduce the gap with Birkirkara to one point, albeit the latter have played a game less.
Valletta
A. Hogg-7, S. Bezzina-6.5, S. Borg-7, L. Dimech, R. Briffa-6.5, G. Agius-6.5 ('87 E. Agius), J. Pace-6.5, D. Priso-8 ('90 D. Falzon), M. Mifsud-6.5, T. Scerri-6 ('62 K. Sammut-6), K. Scicluna-7.
Sliema Wanderers
S. Agius-5, I. Azzopardi-5, J. Mifsud-7, N. Turner-6 ('81 R. Attard), J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5 ('74 A. Mercieca), C. Gatt Baldacchino-6 ('85 I. Ciantar), I. Woods-6.5, L. Dronca-5.5, J. Alcorse-6 Pedrinho-5, J. Mintoff-6.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow cards: Dimech; Pedrinho; Alcorse; Mifsud; Gatt Baldacchino; Mintoff.
Red card: Dimech (V) 45.
BOV player of the match: Doding Priso (Valletta).