Depleted Citizens weather the storm

Marsa 1
Valletta 2

A silver lining in the shape of a victory over an albeit lowly Marsa team, stood out like a beacon amid the dark clouds which are currently engulfing the Valletta camp.

It may not have been a composed performance by an otherwise depleted City team, but in terms of character and determination to keep their colours flying, the Valletta players definitely deserved some accolades.

At times, they seemed to huff and puff against a Marsa outfit that threatened to breach the opposing defensive lines. But the Lilywhites, mainly through the hardworking Penchev and the experience of their thoroughbreds Gilbert Agius, Kris Laferla and Darren Debono, pressed the accelerator when it mattered to collect the spoils and go, at least temporarily, to the top of the table, two points ahead of Sliema Wanderers.

For Marsa, the outlook looks bleak all the way. They were not short of effort last night at the Centenary Stadium but their toils were not enough even considering the generosity of Anthony Eviparker in their front line and the steadiness of Nikolai Slavchev at the back.

They managed to reduce the deficit, but that came too late in the game to affect the final outcome.

Although shorn of six players, through wholesale suspensions slapped against them after the heavy scuffles at the end of their match against Floriana last Saturday, Valletta managed to field quite a familiar formation. That, despite the absence of their latest 'casualty' David Carabott who was presumably advised not to risk injury on the artificial surface at the Centenary Stadium.

Veteran Laferla was unearthed to do duty as an anchorman, and so was Debono, declared fit after sustaining an injury over three weeks ago. The heavily bandaged Penchev, who incurred a head injury against the Greens, was also on usual duty with Keith Fenech returning to the fold after suspension.

Marsa had Chris Borg in lieu of the unfit Gordon Camenzuli while Eviparker was handed a starting berth as Alan Mifsud began on the substitutes' bench.

Except for a couple of tentative shots at either end, there was nothing conspicuous in the opening stages as both teams struggled to find their feet and put up some composed fare.

Marsa went nearest to forging ahead when Tirchett dallied, with Ernest Barry - a replacement for Sean Sullivan - out of his charge.

Eviparker hit out shortly afterwards, but the nearest miss was contrived by Chris Oretan who hit wide of the target from six metres out with only Micallef to beat.

The Whites were piling up the pressure at this point and it was no surprise that they broke the deadlock. The improving Beppe Pace went surging forward on a flag-kick to stab a header past Micallef.

It was the tonic the Lilywhites needed and coming, as it did, a few minutes from the interval, it served to ease off some pressure which would have crept in their play after the change of ends.

With Marsa very much in with a chance of getting back into the reckoning and Valletta wanting to put their minds at rest through at least another goal, the second period promised interesting exchanges.

Slavchev had a free-kick from 35 metres slamming against the upright, with Barry beaten and Eviparker just short of putting a headed touch to the ball.

The Red-Blues pushed forward on impetus. Valletta grew cautious as they pulled more men behind the ball. But it was the Marsa players who picked the ball from their net right on the hour.

A triangular move had Sacco cutely serving the unmarked Gilbert Agius just outside the goal area. The formalities were completed and Valletta were two goals up.

Marsa could have pulled a goal back but Barry effected a great save on Eviparker who was clear. They scored a late consolation goal through Malcolm Tirchett, who netted beautifully after good work initiated by Minabo Asechemie.

Marsa: J. Micallef, S. Grima, N. Slavchev, A. Eviparker, M. Tirchett (M. Scicluna), R. Dardouri (J. Zammit), D. Baldacchino, C. Borg (J. Buttigieg), K. Abela, K. Formosa, M. Asechemie.

Valletta: E. Barry, K. Laferla, D. Debono, B. Pace, M. Penchev, R. Forace, J. Bondin (J. Agius), G. Agius, C. Oretan (D. Cachia), A. Sacco, K. Fenech.

Referee: R. Buontempo.

Scorers: Pace 37, G. Agius 60; Tirchett 90.

Yellow Cards: Baldacchino, Formosa; Pace, Laferla, Sacco, Forace.

Player Of The Match: Milen Penchev (Valletta).