VALLETTA-2, BIRKIRKARA-1
Valletta went top of the BOV Premier League this evening after overcoming Birkirkara 2-1 in the top match of the weekend.
Defender Steve Borg scored Valletta's winner midway through the second half after Birkirkara striker Moises Avila had cancelled out Jamie Pace's opener.
Victory for Valletta gave them a two-point lead over Hibs at the top but the latter have a game in hand.
Valletta were boosted by the return of Michael Mifsud and Steve Borg while Jonathan Caruana was also certified fit to start after coming off with a tight hamstring in Malta's 2-0 defeat to Israel on Tuesday.
Paul Zammit, back in Birkirkara's hot seat after replacing Patrick Curmi, gave a debut to new Serbian signing Dragan Perisic.
Before the match, Valletta playmaker Denni was presented with the BOV player of the month trophy after the Brazilian was voted the Premier League's best for September.
Six minutes into the game, Valletta midfielder Jamie Pace sent the ball over from Denni's corner.
Trevor Cilia's stinging free-kick from the distance flew over but the game was short on constructive fare in the opening stages.
On 20 minutes, William Barbosa made a strong run from the edge of his team's box and exchanged passes with Mifsud but the latter's effort was blocked by the Birkirkara defenders.
Midway through the first half, Denni threatened to put Valletta ahead but his first-time volley ended just wide.
Valletta were now playing the better football. They protested for a penalty when Birkirkara goalkeeper Jorge Mora appeared to touch Effiong's foot as the latter sped through but referee Esther Azzopardi pointed to the corner flag.
Mora then did well to keep out Roderick Briffa's long-range drive. The champions duly took the lead four minutes from half-time. Edmond Agius's cross from s free-kick sailed into the box where Pace outjumped his mark to send his header over the surprised Mora and into the far corner of the net.
Two minutes into the second half Agius's dipping first-timer flew past the far post. Mora then blocked Barbosa's well-hit free-kick but suddenly Valletta found themselves on the backfoot after defender Caruana was dispossessed in the middle.
Birkirkara quickly transferred the ball forward as Trevor Cilia advanced before setting up Moises Avila who beat Andrew Hogg to make it 1-1.
The Stripes' 54th-minute equaliser was a blow for the Citizens but they regained the lead midway through the second half, Steve Borg heading past Mora from Agius's set-piece assist.
Substitute Leighton Grech had a central shot saved by Hogg as Birkirkara tried to stage a reaction in the final stages. But, it was Valletta who threatened to add to their lead when Mifsud cut in from the left but his strike was pushed away by Mora. Dyson Falson fired over in the dying stages and Ousseni Zongo, another substitute for Valletta, was denied by Mora.
Valletta midfielder Edmond Agius was named BOV player of the match.