City take control after early shock

Tarxien Rainbows 1
Tanti 12
Valletta 3
Falzon 19; Zammit 45; Agius 65

Expectations were met yesterday as Valletta swept past Tarxien Rainbows to close the gap on leaders Hibernians to only two points, albeit the latter have played a game more than the champions.

The Citizens overcame the early setback of conceding a 12th-minute goal to the relegation-haunted Rainbows as strikes by Dyson Falzon and Ian Zammit turned the tide in their favour before half-time.

Captain Gilbert Agius rounded another lively performance by netting Valletta's third goal 20 minutes into the second half.

Valletta took to this match in bullish mood after extending their unbeaten start to 12 matches with a 2-0 victory over Hibs earlier this month.

Coach Paul Zammit gave a debut to Brazilian attacking midfielder Paulo Massaro who partnered Sebastian Monesterolo in the Citizens' two-pronged attack.

Roderick Briffa, who joined Valletta from Sliema Wanderers on Friday, was named in the squad but played no part in yesterday's win.

Cameroon winger Priso Doding and Edmond Agius were missing for the due to suspension.

Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, awarded a starting role to Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, signed on loan from Sliema Wanderers. The lanky youngster was asked to replace the departed Ivan Carapic in the heart of Tarxien's defence.

In the corresponding first-round fixture, Tarxien had come within a whisker of causing an upset as they led 2-1 before Valletta rescued a point with a late equaliser.

Yesterday, a shock looked on the cards when the Rainbows took an unexpected lead after 12 minutes. Luke Vella Critien slipped a low cross towards Mark Tanti whose low shot trickled past a posse of white-shirted players and ended in the net.

Tarxien's hopes of holding on to their slim advantage until half-time were dashed when Valletta made it one-all on 19 minutes.

Falzon's well-hit free-kick from well outside the penalty area stunned Tarxien goalkeeper Anthony Curmi as City striker Ian Zammit nipped in to try and claim the final touch. The goal was credited to Falzon, however.

On the half hour, Valletta went close to moving 2-1 up. Cleaven Frendo created space in the penalty area before crossing for Monesterolo whose low shot was pushed away for a corner by Curmi.

The Tarxien goalkeeper was kept busy as he was forced to deal with wave after wave of Valletta attacks.

Just when it seemed as if Tarxien had done enough to head for half-time on equal terms, Valletta forged ahead.

Frendo's excellent ball control just inside the area unsettled the Tarxien defenders who failed to dispossess the Valletta midfielder. Frendo then served Zammit who scored with a thumping shot.

Inside the first minute of the second half, Agius delivered a free-kick which led to Massaro trying to wrongfoot Curmi only for the Rainbows goalkeeper to save the Brazilian's attempt.

Seconds later, Agius went down in the penalty area with referee Adrian Azzopardi cautioning the Malta captain for simulation.

Paul Zammit was forced to replace Ian Zammit nine minutes into the second half after the young forward took a knock to his head after colliding with Andrew Decesare.

The change required some tactical adjustments as substitute Steve Bezzina was deployed on the left side of defence while Falzon was assigned a midfield role.

Two minutes later, Agius displayed some amazing skill as he left a number of players in his wake before directing the ball to Massaro who tried to round off Curmi but with no success.

At the other end, Tarxien produced a fast break through Daniel Mariano Bueno who drifted inside the box before having his shot deviated for a corner.

Midway through the second half, the champions secured the points as Gatt Baldacchino tripped Frendo outside the penalty area and Agius curled his free-kick into the corner of the net.

This goal prompted Valletta to ease their pressure as they strolled through the remaining minutes without taking unnecessary risks.

Tarxien
A. Curmi-6.5, S. Sadowski-6, C. Gatt Baldacchino-7, M. Tanti-6.5, A. Decesare-6, R. Schembri-6, D. Bueno-6, L. Vella Critien-6.5, K. Borg-6 ('68 W. Chircop-6), L. Galea-5.5 ('58 M. Buttigieg-5.5), R. Grech-5.5 ('77 O. Grech).

Valletta
A. Hogg-6.5 ('88 N. Vella), J. Grioli-6.5, K. Scicluna-7, L. Dimech-7, J. Pace-6 ('68 D. Camilleri-6), P. Massaro-6, C. Frendo-7.5, G. Agius-7.5, D. Falzon-7, I. Zammit-7 ('54 S. Bezzina-6.5), S. Monesterolo-6.5.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Agius; Decesare; Gatt Baldacchino.

BoV player of the match: Cleaven Frendo (Valletta).