VALLETTA-3, TARXIEN RAINBOWS-0

Michael Mifsud was the toast of Valletta this evening as the Malta striker hit a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Tarxien Rainbows.

A win was a must for Valletta after Birkirkara had opened up a seven-point gap at the top thanks to their 3-0 dismissal of Sliema Wanderers on Friday and the Citizens were not found wanting as they narrowed the deficit with the Stripes to four points with four games left.

An action-packed first half ended with Valletta leading 2-0 thanks to a brace from Michael Mifsud. The nippy City striker opened the scoring after six minutes, finishing off a fine move involving Doding Priso and Kevin Sammut with a powerful strike that left Tarxien goalkeeper Anthony Curmi stranded.

Tarxien, who had threatened early on through Ribeiro, mounted a strong reaction. The Rainbows created a string of scoring opportunities with Ribeiro hitting just wide after receiving from Ryan Grech and Everton being denied by Andrew Hogg who blocked his near-post header.

In between, Valletta had also missed a great chance to double their lead when Mifsud ran towards the byline before setting up Sammut whose low shot came off the foot of the post. Andrew Decesare came close for the Rainbows but his grounder ended just wide. Valletta doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, Mifsud rolling the ball into the net from close range after getting on the end of Roderick Briffa’s cross from the right wing.

The second half produced fewer scoring chances than the first but Valletta sealed the issue 10 minutes from time, Mifsud hammering the ball past Curmi after receiving an excellent through-ball from Priso.

Mifsud was voted BOV player of the match.