Valletta were in a class of their own as they scored no less than five goals in the first sixteen minutes to end up winning with an incredible 8-2 score over Hamrun Spartans.
Michael Mifsud was undoubtedly the hero for the champions as he scored six of the goals, including a hat-trick in just three minutes between the 13th and the 16th.
Hamrun welcomed back Andrea Cassar, Gianluca Calabretta and Roderick Fenech. Valletta, on the other hand, lacked Ricardo Filho.
The Citizens took the lead on the 4th minute thanks to a diagonal shot by Michael Mifsud, served by Roderick Briffa, which beat goalkeeper Anthony Curmi.
Four minutes later, Valletta doubled the score thanks to Ryan Fenech who beat Curmi after receiving a pass by Dyson Falzon
On the 12th minute, Anthony Curmi brought Leandro da Silva Almeida down inside the area. From the penalty spot, Michael Mifsud converted to make it 3-0.
Michael Mifsud scored the fourth goal on 14 minutes when he tapped the ball home off a perfect pass by Dyson Falzon from the left.
Two minutes later, Briffa sent Michael Mifsud through and the latter’s low effort was not held by Curmi to end at the back of the net.
Valletta scored the sixth goal on the 25th minute when a William Barbosa effort hit the crossbar and off the rebound, Denni Rocha dos Santos controlled the ball before beating Curmi with a fine rising shot.
Substitute Daniel Zerafa reduced the gap for Hamrun with a powerful shot from the edge of the area on 32 minutes.
The Citizens however went close once again two minutes later with powerful shots by Fenech and Barbosa which were blocked by Anthony Curmi. Mifsud then missed an incredible chance off a cross from the right by Denni on 36 minutes.
One minute from half time, William Barbosa hit the woodwork with the Hamrun goalkeeper beaten.
Michael Mifsud scored his fifth goal on 57 minutes with a powerful shot from inside the area.
On the 74th minute, Denni released Gabriel on the left and off the latter’s cross, Michael Mifsud hit home from close range.
A Massimo Grima long-distance shot beat goalkeeper Yenz Cini on the 87th minute for the Spartans’ second goal.
Michael Mifsud was voted BOV Player of the Match.
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
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HAMRUN Anthony Curmi, Adrian Borg (65’ Luke Grech), David Camilleri (43’ Richard Brightwell), Massimo Grima, Terence Vella (28’ Daniel Zerafa), Gianluca Calabretta, Adrian Ivanov, Roderick Fenech, Lyubomir Vitanov, Anton Vergilov, Nikolay Bozhov.
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, Gianluca Debattista, Ryan Spiteri, Gabriel Formosa.
Coach: Stefan Sultana
Asst. Coach: Atanas Marinov
VALLETTA Manuel Bartolo (74’ Yenz Cini), Roderick Briffa (55’ Kurt Magro), Dyson Falzon, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, William Barbosa, Ryan Fenech (58’ Edmond Agius), Joao Gabriel da Silva, Leandro da Silva Almeida, Denni Rocha dos Santos, Michael Mifsud.
Subs not used: Shaun Bajada, Ian Azzopardi, Gilbert Agius, Llywelyn Cremona.
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Gilbert Agius
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Alex Grech
Fourth Official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: Curmi
Red Cards:
Scorers: 4’ Michael Mifsud (V), 8’ Ryan Fenech (V), 13’ Michael Mifsud pen (V), 14’ Michael Mifsud (V), 16’ Michael Mifsud (V), 25’ Denni Rocha dos Santos (V); 32’ Daniel Zerafa (H); 57’ Michael Mifsud (V); 74’ Michael Mifsud (V)
Attendance: 1,187
After beating Balzan in their previous outing, Tarxien Rainbows collected another three points as they beat Melita 2-0.
A win which puts them on level points with Sliema Wanderers on the seven-point mark, leaving Melita at the bottom with just one point together with Rabat Ajax and Balzan.
The Amateurs lacked Jovan Vukanic and Julian Galea while the Rainbows were in full strength with no players injured or suspended.
Tarxien managed to take the lead on 31 minutes when off a David Fenech corner from the right, Evaldo Silva dos Santos headed the ball home past goalkeeper Matthew Sapiano.
Melita replied with attempts by Jose Luis Armaro Negrin ending wide.
The Rainbows doubled the score on 61 minutes when off an inviting pass by Danilo Meira Santos, Andre Reinaldo de Souza Esposito fired the ball home past the Melita goalkeeper.
The Amateurs were reduced to ten men on 66 minutes when Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho received a second yellow card for simulation.
Andrezinho was voted BOV Player of the Match.
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
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TARXIEN David Cassar, Carlo Mamo, Evaldo Silva dos Santos, Justin Grioli, Roderick Bajada, Danilo Meira Santos (86’ Steve Bonnici), Andre Reinaldo de Souza Esposito, Mark Tanti (61’ Karl Pulo), Daniel Mariano Bueno, David Fenech (84’ Andrew Agius), Orosco Anonam.
Subs not used: Nicky Vella, Steve Sadowski, Manuel Caruana, Luiz Romulo de Castro.
Coach: Clive Mizzi
Asst. Coach: Steven Vella
MELITA Matthew Sapiano, Rudi Alhinho (46’ Maxime Batel), Ivan Tufegdzic, George Gribbon, Matthew Borg, Luke Sammut (75’ Michael Martin), Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho, Andrew Caruana Scicluna (46’ Karl Vella Petroni), Luke Micallef, Kane Micallef, Jose Luis Armaro Negrin.
Subs not used: Karl Zahra, Daniel Gravino, Nigel Rizzo, Michael Valenzia.
Coach: Martin Gregory
Asst. Coach: Carmel Busuttil
Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Evaldo, Sierra Camacho, Andrezinho
Red Cards: 66’ Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho
Scorers: 31’ Evaldo Silva dos Santos, 61’ Andre Reinaldo de Souza Esposito