Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/467065
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2015 33 Sport PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD FOOTBALL SPORTTODAY Zebbug stun misfiring Champions Valletta ........................2 Zebbug Rangers ............3 EDWARD FALZON ZEBBUG Rangers defeated Valletta 3-2 in the first match at the Hiber- nians Stadium in what turned out to be a resolute performance from Alfonso Greco's men. Striker Luke Montebello, who was facing his team after going out on loan, found the net to notch his team's winning, third goal. This was a devastating blow for the Champions in what was a mis- erable all-round performance. The result sees the Champions lose fur- ther grip on second place should Birkirkara win their match today. Zebbug were most definitely the most positive team on the pitch with Valletta looking a pale shadow of their usual selves. Mauricio Britto had an effort saved by Valletta keeper Pietro Ma- rino, and at the other hand, Jonath- an Caruana effort failed to hit the target from a Nafti cross. Zebbug were dangerous through- out the first half and they took the lead on 26 minutes when Mathias Muchardis' swinging corner kick beat Marino. Nine minutes from the end of the first half, on loan keeper Bartolo pushed away a good Nafti free kick. From the resultant corner taken by the same player, Azzopardi hit wide from an angled position. On the brink of half-time, Nafti advanced unmarked in the opposi- tion's area with his shot blocked by Bartolo. From the ensuing counter attack, Zebbug scored their second. Valletta were again unsure at the back as Montebello's pass saw Di- mech miscuing the ball, and Yus- suf was there to beat the Valletta keeper. Six minutes into the second half, Valletta were unlucky not to score as Caruana passed the ball to Barry with the Gambian's shot going off target. Ryan Fenech pulled one back for the Champions on 60 minutes with a precise shot which gave Bartolo no chance. However five minutes later Zeb- bug restored their two-goal lead. Muchardi was the assist man as his good pass through the middle found Montebello who beat Marino with ease. Bajada went close to reducing the gap for Valletta but his curling ef- fort hit the crossbar. A mistake by Steve Borg almost handed Zebbug their fourth goal with the Malta defender being dispossessed by Montebello who passed to Britto with his low shot being parried away by Marino. With seven minutes remaining, Valletta were back in the game when young substitute Kurt Borg, who replaced the disappointing Di- mech, headed home from a Barry corner. Valletta: Marino, J.Caruana, Azzo- pardi (Leef lang 57'), Borg, Camill- eri, Fenech, Barry, Elford-Alliyu (Cremona 46'), Bajada, Nafti, Di- mech (K.Borg 76') Zebbug Rangers: Bartolo, Borg, Barbetti, Mucchardi, Camilleri, Bartolo, Yussuf, Britto, Reano, Paris (Zammit 67'), Montebello (Cianter 87') Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann Yellow Cards: Yussuf, R.Camilleri, K.Zammit, Cremona Scorers: Muchardi 26', Yussuff 45+1, Fenech 60', Montebello 64', K.Borg 83' BOV Man of the Match: Matthias Muchardi Zebbug put in a great performance against Valletta to take home all three points