Matchday 18: Valletta 0 Marsaxlokk 2
25/02/2024
Marsaxlokk delivered a devastating blow to Valletta’s survival hopes when the southerners secured a comfortable 2-0 win that boosted their aspirations to earn a European berth this season.
Goals from Yuri Messias and Nevin Portelli handed the points to Marsaxlokk who regained fourth spot in the standings. On the other, hand, Valletta suffered their third defeat in a row to slip to third from bottom on 18 points.
Fighting for their Premier league survival, Valletta made a combative start to the match. But the Lilywhites’ positive forward play was soon dampened by their own frailties.
Portelli delivered a deep cross for a completely unmarked Messias to head past Alessandro Guarnone.
Marsaxlokk responded to Valletta’s obvious panic by pouring forward and double their lead after 22 minutes when Portelli fired the ball in from just outside the box.
Valletta had not won a match this season after failing behind and again failed to convert their chances.
On 39 minutes, Shaun Dimech hit the foot of the post with a diagonal shot.
In the second half, Valletta seemed to lack a sense of urgency and their attacks spluttered out to the growing frustrations of their fans.
Source: Times of Malta
VALLETTA: A. Guarnone, J. Bolanos, O. Barrientos, S. Dimech (61 J. Azzopardi), G. Vieira (61 A. Ferraris), D. Paiber, M. Jezdimirovic (46 A. Silas), V. Filho, N. Micallef, Jhonnattann (79 D. Garba), D. Cardoso.
MARSAXLOKK: M. Drobnajk, Weder, N. Portelli, Y. Messias (86 S. Boakye) , D. Bonniċi, J. Walker, N. Raden, R. Scicluna, J. Junior (78 J. Ghio), A. Obonogwu (70 S. Akinbule), N. Muscat (86 D. Pires).
Scorers: 9′ Y. Messias, 22′ N. Portelli (M).
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Yellow cards: Muscat, Walker (M), V. Filho, B. Paiber (V).
