First-half goals enough for leaders Valletta

Leaders Valletta stay four points clear of Hibernians and six of Balzan as they scored twice in the first half to beat Pembroke Athleta 2-0 at the National Stadium. This was the ninth consecutive win for Paul Zammit’s side who therefore extend their unbeaten run in the BOV Premier League to sixteen matches.

This was the fourth defeat in five matches for Pembroke Athleta who are still nine points ahead of St. Andrews and Naxxar Lions.
Valletta managed to take the lead on the 14th minute thanks to Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao whose conclusion, when served from the right, beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

The Citizens doubled the score on the 34th as Jhonnattann served Abdelkarim Nafti whose angled shot gave Muscat no chance.

Nafti almost made it 3-0 on the 81st minute when he received an assist by substitute Michael Mifsud but his conclusion from just inside the area hit the crossbar.

VALLETTA Henry Bonello, Jonathan Caruana, Ian Azzopardi, Ryan Camilleri, Juan Cruz Gill, Roderick Briffa, Rafael Rodrigues Ledesma (59′ Michael Mifsud), Federico Falcone (70′ Jean Borg), Claudio Pani, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao, Abdelkarim Nafti.
Subs not used: Manuel Bartolo, Daniel Camilleri, Luis Vergara Rodriguez, Jurgen Suda, Llywelyn Cremona.
Coach: Paul Zammit

PEMBROKE Mario Muscat, Kyle O’Brien, Gustavo Villalobos, Terence Agius (61′ Obinna Obiefule), Ariel Laudisi, Siraj Arab Eddin (81′ Miguel Attard), Paltemio Barbetti, Owen Bugeja, Alex Cini, Manolito Micallef (90′ Tyrone Fenech), Zoran Levnaic.
Subs not used: Matthew Farrugia, Geoffrey Spiteri, Gustavo da Silva da Nobrega, Rennie Tanti.
Coach: Winston Muscat

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Peter Abela
Additional Assistant Referees: Mario Apap, Matthew De Gabriele
Fourth Official: Christopher Francalanza
Yellow Cards: Ledesma, Briffa, Laudisi
Scorers: 14′ Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao, 34′ Abdelkarim Nafti
BOV Player of the Match: Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao
Attendance: 1,150