Matchday 04: Valletta 3 Santa Lucia 0
20/10/2024
Valletta secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Santa Lucia at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, with a brilliant hat-trick from Andrei Ciolacu leading the way. The Romanian forward was the difference-maker, finding the net three times as Valletta controlled the game from start to finish.
The breakthrough came in the 15th minute, when Valletta were awarded a penalty after a foul inside the box. Ciolacu stepped up to the spot and confidently dispatched the penalty, putting his side 1-0 up.
After a dominant first half, Valletta wasted no time increasing their lead just two minutes after the break. In the 47th minute, Ciolacu scored his second of the afternoon, latching onto a precise pass and calmly finishing to make it 2-0.
The in-form striker completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute. A defensive lapse from Santa Lucia allowed Ciolacu to pounce on a loose ball, and he made no mistake, firing the ball into the back of the net to secure his third goal of the game and Valletta’s comfortable 3-0 lead.
Santa Lucia struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the match, with Valletta’s defense standing firm. Despite some late attempts to get back into the contest, Santa Lucia were unable to find a way through.
VALLETTA: T. Aquilina, E. Mushagalusa (K. Ewurum), N. Micallef, Z. Cassar (Z. Barbara), E. Ruiz, A. Ciolacu, B. Paiber, J. Azzopardi, S. Mackay, P. Lapira (N. Tabone), J. Scicluna (K. Azzopardi Conti).
SANTA LUCIA: C. Farrugia, D. Mangion, M. Vella, T. Ojo Abraham, B. Ihuomah, J. Nicholl, B. Hanan (J. Polidano), J. Sixsmith, A. Borg, I. Salis, A. Vella (J. Bajada).
Scorers: 15′, 47′, 56′ A. Ciolacu (V)
Yellow Cards: T. Objo Abraham, J. Nicholl, J. Sicsmith, A. Borg (S)
Referee: G. Tonna