Valletta go top as Hibs slip up

Marsaxlokk put a serious dent in Hibs' chances of winning the pre-season Carlsberg Tournament for the second year running when they defeated them 2-0 in yesterday's first match at Corradino.

Top spot in the standings is now occupied by Valletta who bagged their second win in as many matches, dismissing Pietà Hotspurs 5-1.

Gomes Wendell, Marsaxlokk's new signing from Brazil, was on the mark five minutes into the game to set his team on way to victory, their first after their opening 3-2 defeat to Valletta on Monday.

A second goal from Malta U-21 striker Cleaven Frendo secured victory for Marsaxlokk who reached Hibernians on the three-point mark in the standings.

Hibernians, who had obtained an emphatic 5-2 victory over Pietà in their first outing on Monday, now need to beat Valletta by a clear margin tomorrow to stand a chance of retaining their title.

On their part, Marsaxlokk are still in the hunt for top spot in this four-team tournament. Tomorrow, they face the Hotspurs who are the only team without a point.

Goals from Nigerian Geremiah Ani and promising talent Dylan Zarb gave the Citizens a 2-0 lead inside the first 12 minutes but David Camenzuli dragged Pietà back in the reckoning with a goal five minutes before the end of the first half.

Any hopes of a Pietà comeback effectively disappeared when Ani and Ian Zammit found the net to increase Valletta's lead to three goals by the 71st minute. Massimo Grima got in on the act when scoring Valletta's fifth and final goal five minutes from time.