Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/916779
maltatoday SUNDAY 17 DECEMBER 2017 Sports 52 FOOTBALL Early goal puts Valletta back on track Hamrun Spartans return to winning ways Valletta .................. 1 Mosta ...................... 0 WARREN ZAMMIT VALLETTA made a f lying start to the match as they went ahead after just four minutes. Matteo Piciollo served Denni and the latter saw his low shot ending up inside the net. Three minutes later, Mosta were forced to make an early substitution. Zac Brincat got in- jured and was replaced by Dex- ter Xuereb. On the 9th minute, Valletta nearly scored again. Kyrian Nwoko received the ball inside the penalty area and fired a close range shot that was blocked by Andreas Vella. Mosta were unlucky not to score the equalising goal on the 24th minute. David Efanyi Nwo- rah sent a powerful drive from distance that hit the upright. Nicky Vella was on the alert to deny Mosta on the half hour mark. Rodriguez Ekani Jonas de- livered a cross towards the un- marked Godwin Blessing whose powerful shot forced a great save from the Valletta goalkeeper. Two minutes into the second half, Denni fired a shot from distance that failed to hit the target. Mosta replied on the 54th min- ute. Leonardo Henrique Ferreira went through on the right side of the penalty area but found Vella in his way. Ferreira went close again on the hour mark. The Mosta play- er went down the right f lank and hit a shot that went across the frame of goal. Mosta kept on insisting and created another chance on the 66th minute. Thomas Veronese's cross went into the path of Ekani whose shot was neutralised by Vella. Valletta hit back seconds later. Denni hit a powerful drive from distance that forced an excellent save from Vella who tipped the ball behind him for a corner. Vella was on the alert again on the 70th minute. Matteo Piciollo passed the ball towards Santiago Malano and the Valletta substi- tute sent a shot that was saved by the Mosta goalkeeper. On the 85th minute, Piciollo tried his luck from distance, but his shot ended up wide. Three minutes later, Thomas Veronese of Mosta fired a shot from the right that hit the side netting. Following this result, Valletta are now just one point behind Balzan. Valletta starting line-up: Nicky Vella, Ryan Camilleri, Matteo Piciollo, Kyrian Nwoko (San- tiago Malano – 64), Jean Borg, Joseph Zerafa, Ibrahim Saleh, Denni Rocha Dos Santos (Umeh Uchenna Calistus – 84), Claudio Pani (Nicholas Pulis- 90), Rowen Muscat, Romeu Romao Mosta starting line-up: Andreas Vella, Leonardo Henrique Fer- reira (Neil Frendo – 75), Zac Brincat (Dexter Xuereb- 7), Thomas Veronese, Kurt Magro, Davide Mansi, Tyron Farrugia, Rodriguez Ekani Jonas, David Ifeanyi Nworah (Kyle Frendo – 71), Ivan Maric, Godwin Blessing Henshaw Referee: Eman Grech Assistant Referees: Roberto Vel- la, Paul Apap Fourth Of ficial: Stefan Pace Yellow Cards: Kurt Magro (Mo- sta), Denni Rocha Dos Santos (Valletta), Ivan Maric (Mosta), Thomas Veronese (Mosta) BOV Player of the Match: Mat- teo Piciollo (Valletta) Hamrun Spartans .................. 2 Tarxien Rainbows .................. 1 WARREN ZAMMIT THE Spartans went ahead on the 21st min- ute. From a free-kick, Thiago Espindola De Paula sent a cross in the direction of Thi- ago Souza De Silveira who headed the ball past Antonio Chetcuti. Ħamrun doubled their advantage on the 56th minute. Marco Criaco received the ball from Davide Succi and hit a low shot that gave Chetcuti no chance. Tarxien pulled one back on the 78th min- ute. Succi brought down Ebiabowei Baker inside the penalty area and the referee or- dered a penalty. From the eleven metres mark, Ricardo Faria made no mistake. Referee: Matthew Degabriele BOV Player of the Match: Dale Camilleri (Ħamrun) An early goal scored by Denni Rocha Dos Santos made all the difference as Valletta earned a narrow 1-0 win over Mosta Hamrun Spartans returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Tarxien Rainbows PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG