Terrence Scerri scored a brace as Valletta pulled further clear at the top of the BOV Premier League with a 4-0 thrashing of Qormi in today’s opening match at the National Stadium.
Three goals in the first half sealed Valletta’s victory which extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches and increased their lead over the second-placed Tarxien Rainbows, who meet Vittoriosa Stars on Sunday, to 10 points.
Valletta went close to opening the score after five minutes. Kevin Sammut made headway through the middle before passing to the unmarked Omonigo Temile on the left but the Nigerian miscued his shot.
The Citizens’ early pressure paid dividends after 11 minutes. The telling cross came from Temile who sent the ball into the six-yard box and Scerri tapped home from close range.
The goal roused the Valletta fans who grew more vocal as the first half progressed. On 24 minutes, Valletta threatened again when Jamie Pace advanced through the middle and served Temile who elected to drift towards the centre instead of shooting. The Qormi defenders recovered ground as Temile skied his shot high and wide.
Second best for much of the opening half-hour, Qormi had to wait until the 30th minute to create their first opportunity. Cleaven Frendo had the better of his marker and delivered a teasing low cross that was intercepted by the City defenders before Ben Camilleri could connect.
Five minutes later, Valletta moved 2-0 up. Captain Gilbert Agius brought the house down as he hit a stunning free-kick from an angled position that soared above a clutch of players and into the far corner of the net.
The Citizens all but sealed the issue when, with seven minutes of the first half remaining, Scerri scored his second of the afternoon with a strong drive after receiving from Sammut.
Late in the first half, Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia pushed way another dangerous long-range effort from Agius as Valletta remained in control.
Qormi coach Stephen Azzopardi withdrew Farrugia at half-time but his replacement, Matthew Camilleri, was beaten after five minutes by Sammut’s low drive.
Four goals to the good, Valletta took their foot off the gas pedal but they remained firmly in charge.
Only once did Qormi come close to reducing the arrears when Camilleri robbed Pace off the ball in midfield and passed to Joseph Chetcuti who fired over.
Camilleri then denied Valletta a fifth goal when keeping out substitute Edmond Agius’s long-range shot and Gilbert Agius’s follow-on effort.
The Valletta captain then produced another excellent free-kick from the distance but Camilleri flew to his right to push the ball away for a corner.
Another chance for Valletta went abegging when Scerri guided a pass to Pace who dashed into the area but his final attempt was off target.
Valletta striker Scerri was named BOV player of the match.