Matchday 26: Valletta 5 Gudja U 2
03/05/2024
The City started like a house on fire, getting their noses in front after 19 minutes, when Shaun Dimech burst forward and unleashed a thumping shot which flew past James Pisani.
Instead of regrouping, Gudja’s defence was caught out again, this time, they failed to cut out a crossfield pass. The ball dropped at the feet of Klose Azzopardi Conti, who surged past the onrushing goalkeeper and poked in Valletta’s second from a tight angle.
Another neat move two minutes later, saw Keyon Ewurum jink his way into the Gudja’s half to cheekily put the ball behind Pisani.
Gudja’s first-half display did not merit a goal, but they found the net when Gianluca Zammit hit a low drive behind Liam Frendo.
Yet Valletta extended their lead again on 51 minutes.
Jake Azzopardi picked up the ball from Azzopardi Conti, substitute goalkeeper Felix Lehtinen blocked his first attempt, the loose pass gave Azzopardi an inviting opportunity and the Valletta hitman finished cooly past the goalkeeper.
Gudja stemmed the tide when Josimar Quintero floated in the ball from corner, which evaded the entire Valletta defence, and Mathias Conti ghosted in at the back post to slot the ball home.
But it was the briefest of reprieves. Dimech completed his double on 66 minutes when he controlled the ball before hitting a low shot behind the stranded Lehtinen.
Source: timesofmalta
VALLETTA: L. Frendo, S. Dimech, J. Azzopardi (62 K. Baldacchino), C. Gauci (62 C. Mercieca), K. Ewurum (72 Z.Formosa), Z. Barbara (72 A. Portelli), S. Mackay, K. Azzopardi Conti, M. Jezdimirovic, N. Micallef, A. Silas (78 D. Agius).
GUDJA UNITED: J. Pisani (46 F. Lethinen), S. Attard, M. Muchardi, J. Quintero (71 G. Lorenzoni), M. Conti, L. Gatt (90 G. Joseph), R. Nanitelamio, Z. Grech, A. Friggieri (71 W. Serrano), M. Esposito (71 J. Cutajar), G. Zammit.
Scorers: 19′ S. Dimech, 66′ K. Azzopardi Conti, 24′ K. Ewurum, 51′ J. Azzopardi (V), 44′ G. Zammit 44, 57′ M. Conti (G).
Referee: E. Grech
BOV Man of the Match: S. Dimech (V)
