VALLETTA          3

ST ANDREWS     0

Three goals in the first half were enough for Valletta to ease past St Andrews and return to the top of the Premier League. 

Valletta opened the scoring with their first meaningful attack of the game. 

Henry Bonello launched a long ball towards Matteo Piciollo who charged up the left wing, exploiting open space on that flank.

Once just outside the penalty area, the Italian striker threaded a square ball to Denni who clinically side-footed home after rounding Matthew Calleja Cremona, the St Andrews goalkeeper. 

Another precise move on the right from Valletta after 17 minutes created a scoring chance for Santiago Malano whose shot on the turn was well saved by Calleja Cremona.

Valletta doubled their lead from another quick break.

Uchenna’s cross was met by Jean Borg, who superbly arrowed the ball over the onrushing Calleja Cremona with a deft header.

Valletta’s third goal, past the half hour mark, was a product of a tidy move down the right, with Kyrian Nwoko crossing for the unmarked Piciollo to tap home from close range. 

The Italian player returned the favour on 40 minutes by floating the ball for Nwoko but the U-21 striker was foiled by Calleja Cremona.

The only noteworthy event of the second half came when Michael Mifsud replaced  Malano after 68 minutes to mark his comeback after a long lay-off.