Valletta restored their four-point lead at the top of the BOV Premier League after easily despatching Marsaxlokk 5-2 at the National Stadium.
Valletta quickly asserted their dominance and took the lead after eight minutes when Michael Mifsud was picked inside the area by Ian Azzopardi and the nippy striker quickly slid the ball past the onrushing Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Christian Cassar.
The Citizens doubled their lead two minutes from the break when Mifsud was fouled on the edge of the area. From the resultant free-kick, Barbosa's curling drive came off the upright and ricocheted into the net via Cassar's back.
In stoppage time, referee Farrugia was at the centre of controversy when she harshly ruled that Valeriani had handled the ball when trying to block Zongo's shot. The Italian wingback, who was already booked, received his second yellow card of the afternoon and was dismissed.
Mifsud stepped up for the penalty and buried the ball past Cassar.
Marsaxlokk were handed a lifeline on 52 minutes and it was again referee Esther Azzopardi attracted further controversy when she harshly ruled that Jonathan Caruana had fouled Stoskovic inside the area when it seemed that the Valletta defender had taken the ball cleanly. From the resultant penalty, Templeman rammed the ball into the net.
The woodwork denied Mifsud from completing his hat-trick as the Malta captain unleashed a powerful low drive that came off the upright with Cassar beaten.
Mifsud finally completed his hat-trick 11 minutes from time when the Valletta striker stormed clear, ran round goalkeeper Cassar before depositing the ball into an empty net.
Valletta were awarded a second penalty six minutes from time when Caruana was floored inside the area. Steve Borg stepped up for the kicked and fired the ball past Cassar to make it 5-1.
Marsaxlokk still had time to pull a second goal back three minutes from time when Templeman moved past two defenders before firing a low drive past Hogg.
Valletta striker Michael Mifsud was voted as the BOV Player of the match.
Source: timesofmalta.com
VALLETTA A. Hogg, R. Briffa, E. Agius, D. Dos Santos (R. Bajada), J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, O. Zongo (S. Arab), A. Effiong (S. Mady Panadetiguiri), W. Barbosa, S. Borg, M. Mifsud, .
MARSAXLOKKC. Cassar. Bonello, T. Templeman, M. Valeriani, J. Brincat, C. Brincat, J. Xerri (C. Debattista), N. Stoskovic, J. Farrugia (P. Borg), G. Caruana (S. Eboh), I. Kurtusic, A. Cezar Pedrozo.
BOV Premier League Date: 04-02-12 Time: 16:00 Venue: National Stadium
Scorers: 8' 46' 80' M. Mifsud, 43' W. Barbosa, 85' S. Borg, 54' 88' T. Templeman(M)
Yellow Cards: M. Valeriani (M)
Man of Match: Michael Mifsud (V)
Referee: Esther Azzopardi
Last Updated on Saturday, 04 February 2012 19:33
Preview: 19th Match vs Marsaxlokk
Preview: 19th Match vs Marsaxlokk
After the goalless draw of a week ago against Sliema Wanderers, tomorrow we will be facing the team that is in the bottom of the Premier League table, Marsaxlokk FC. This game is the 19th game of this season and the fourth from the end of the second round.
In view of how things are going around the team of Marsaxlokk, I surely pretend nothing less than 3 points from this encounter. Marsaxlokk are rowing in very rough seas at the moment and considering that we are leading the table it is a must to win this game to continue consolidating our position.
All our players are looking forward for this match, as to prove to all Malta that we are and we will be the best. Tomorrow we will be in full squad; newly signed Roderick Bajada will mae his debut int the White shirt tomorrow. Burkina Faso international Mady Panandetiguiri arrived back to Malta from his national team commitments yesterday night and will also be available for tomorrow’s match. On the whole all the players are available for tomorrow’s match.
You our beloved supporters, as usual will be with us and giving support to the team as you did always. As in the past you will be chanting your one and only slogans during the match. This will give all of us the strength to continue going and bringing points to the club. Without your precious help we will not be able to celebrate together at the end of May.
Last Updated on Friday, 03 February 2012 15:01
Matthew Towns: claiming bonus promised by Floriana F.C.
Matthew Towns – claiming bonus promised by Floriana F.C.
English goalkeeper Matthew Towns, currently with Valletta F.C., has written to the Malta Football Association claiming that he had not been given a bonus promised to him by Floriana F.C. during the last season.
As Town was registered as an amateur with Floriana, he was not entitled to any financial remuneration. The case has been referred to the Malta Football Association Board of Inquiry.
Last Updated on Friday, 03 February 2012 09:10
U*Bet FA Trophy: Quarter Finals draws
U*Bet FA Trophy: Quarter Finals draws
The draws for the quarter-final draws of the U*BET FA Trophy were held earlier today at the MFA headquarters.
The draws resulted as follows:
Hamrun S vs St Georges, Valletta vs Mosta, Pieta H. vs Qormi, Hibernians vs Floriana
The matches will be played on February 25th and 26th
