Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1091272
28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 MARCH 2019 BOV PREMIER LEAGUE SPORTS WARREN ZAMMIT VALLETTA are on level points with Hibernians at the top of the table as they secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Pietà. Valletta came into this match looking to secure a win at all costs in order to climb at the top of the table together with Hibernians. On the other hand, Pietà who are currently bottom of the ta- ble needed to take something from the match if they are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. The Citizens made their in- tentions clear from the start and went close after six min- utes. Jean Borg's volley from inside the penalty area sailed slightly wide. Pietà replied on the 11th min- ute. From a free-kick, Neil Pace Cocks fired a shot from a free- kick that was neutralised by Henry Bonello. However, Valletta took con- trol of the match and broke the deadlock on the 29th minute. Bojan Kaljevic delivered a cross from the right that was met by Mario Fontanella who headed the ball past Nicholas George Vella. Valletta increased their ad- vantage on the 36th minute. Bogdan Gavrila's delivery from a free-kick went into the direc- tion of Santiago Malano and the latter headed the ball home. Gavrila scored Valletta's third goal on the 43rd minute. Fol- lowing a long ball forward by Miguel Angel Alba, the Roma- nian found himself face to face with Vella and slotted the ball behind him. The scenario of the match remained the same during the second half. Valletta dominat- ed, while Pietà rarely threat- ened. Valletta were unlucky not to score again on the 53rd minute. Gavrila played Kaljevic through on goal. The Montenegrin striker ran forward before drill- ing a low shot that stamped off the post. On the 65th minute, Alba of Valletta went inside the penalty area, but his shot from a tight angle hit the side netting. Alba threatened Pietà again moments later. The Argentine hit a low shot from inside the penalty area that sailed off tar- get. The post denied Valletta again on the 81st minute. Substitute Nicholas Pulis sent a low shot from the right that hit the post. The ball fell for Kaljevic who finished incredibly wide from close range. Vella was on the alert during the additional time given by the referee. Antonio Monticelli fired a powerful drive from dis- tance that forced a good save from Pietà`s custodian. Following this result, Val- letta are now at the top of the table together with Hibernians, while Pietà remain at the bot- tom of the table. Valletta starting line-up: Henry Bonello, Jonathan Caru- ana, Ryan Camilleri, Santiago Malano, Jean Borg, Ibrahim Raed Saleh, Rowen Muscat, Miguel Angel Alba, Bogdan Gavrila, Bojan Kaljevic, Mario Fontanella Pietà Hotspurs starting line-up: Nicholas George Vella, Travis Bartolo, Neil Pace Cocks, Dylan Agius, Paul Chimezie, Jan Busuttil, Hary Singh, Juan Manuel Artiaga, Stefan Radovanovic, Gegi Kekua, Ishaya Irmiya Jalo Referee: Ishmael Barbara Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Darko Stankovic Fourth Official: Alex John- son BOV Player of the Match: Mario Fontanella (Valletta) Valletta out to win Valletta Pietà Hotspurs 3 0 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG QORMI scored two late goals that earned them a 2-0 win over St An- drews. Qormi forged ahead on the 80th minute. Jordy Lokando's delivery went into the path of Tensior Guzman who headed the ball inside the net. Mario Muscat's side doubled their advantage during the additional time given by the referee. Matthew Calleja Cremona left his goal and went up the field to help his team mates in attack. However, Qormi won the ball and hit back with a fast counter attack that ended up with Freud Gnindokponou placing the ball inside an open goal. Such a result means that Qormi are now ahead of Pieta`as they keep on believing that they can avoid relega- tion. Meanwhile, St Andrews are in trouble since they are currently just a point ahead of Senglea. St Andrews starting line-up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Kevyn McFarlane, Ricardo Martin, Kemar Reid, Kurt Magro, Adrian Borg, Ja- cob Walker, Martin Davis, Degran Jackson, Travis Blagrove, Matthew Woo Ling Qormi starting line-up: David Cassar, Yannick Yankam, Manolito Micallef, Mateus Reggis, Freud Gnin- dokponou, Alan Abela, Wellington de Oliveira, Mboyo Jordy Lokando, Mo- hamed Bangoura, Lucas dos Santos Santana, Romeu Romao Referee: Mal- colm Spiteri Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Paul Apap Fourth Official: Daniel Portelli BOV Player of the Match: Martin Davis (St Andrews) GZIRA remained on track in order to clinch a place in Europe as they secured a 3-1 win over Senglea. The Maroons opened the score on the 16th minute. Haruna Garba went past Sidqy El Mehdi and placed the ball inside the net. Senglea equalised on the brink of half time. Arian Mrsulja delivered a cross that was met by Augusto Caseres who placed the ball inside the net. Jesmond Zerafa's men regained their lead two minutes into the second half. Mengolo moved past Mrsulja and slotted the ball inside the net. Gzira sealed the three points on the 77th min- ute. Mengolo's cross went into the path of Garba whose effort went past Mat- thew Farrugia. Haruna Gar- ba of Gzira was voted as the BOV Player of the Match. Gzira United Senglea 3 1 Qormi up chances Gzira on target for Europe St Andrews Qormi 0 2