Champions maintain unbeaten record

Champions Valletta ended their commitments with an unbeaten record after sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Tarxien Rainbows in their final league match.

They won eighteen matches out of the twenty-eight matches played, ending ten games in draws. Valletta had the best attack with 59 goals and the best defence, suffering just seventeen.

The only disappointing note for the Citizens on the day was the fact that Terence Scerri failed to score the goals he needed to finish on top the list of scorers.

Valletta managed to take the lead on 14 minutes when they were awarded a penalty by referee Paul Caruana for a foul by Terence Scerri. From the penalty spot, the former Hibernians striker made no mistake.

A minute later, Denni released Terence Scerri on the right but the latter’s diagonal shot ended wide.

A header by Cristiano was then turned into corner by Hogg on the 18th minute.

Tarxien levelled matters on the 40th minute when off a cross by Julian Vella from the left, Ricardo Costa headed home past goalkeeper Hogg.

However a minute later, the Citizens restored the lead thanks to a goal by Edmond Agius who flicked the ball past Cassar when served by Kevin Sammut.

Two minutes in the second half, Tarxien made it 2-2 thanks to Daniel Mariano Bueno who headed the ball in following a cross by Justin Grioli from the right.

On the hour, former Tarxien midfielder Denni went close with a fine shot from the edge of the area. A powerful drive by Ryan Fenech hit the upright five minutes later. David Cassar then turned into a corner a Kevin Sammut close-range effort following a cross from the right on 72 minutes.

Daniel Mariano Bueno was voted BOV Player of the Match.

After the game, captain Gilbert Agius was presented with the cup by MFA President Norman Darmanin Demajo.

Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com

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VALLETTA Andrew Hogg, Roderick Briffa, Jonathan Caruana (81’ Ramon Dos Santos), Ian Azzopardi, Steve Borg, Edmond Agius, Jamie Pace, Kevin Sammut, Gilbert Agius (20’ Ryan Fenech), Denni Rocha Dos Santos (61’ Ian Zammit), Terence Scerri.
Subs not used: Nicky Vella, Kurt Magro, Andrade Antunes Anderson, Omonigho Temile.
Coach: Leonard Farrugia
Asst. Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

TARXIEN David Cassar, Steve Sadowski, Manuel Caruana (46’ Ryan Mintoff), Everton Antonio Pereira, Ricardo Costa (74’ Andre Farrugia), Cristiano Dos Santos Rodrigues, Daniel Mariano Bueno, Luke Vella Critien, Julian Vella (78’ Sergio Hili), Lee Galea, Justin Grioli.
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Gianluca Calabretta, Warren Zerafa, Orosco Anonam.
Coach: Noel Coleiro
Asst. Coach: Michael Church

Referee: Paul Caruana
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Joseph Camilleri
Fourth Official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: L. Galea
Scorers: 14’ Terence Scerri pen (V); 40’ Ricardo Costa (T); 41’ Edmond Agius (V); 47’ Daniel Mariano Bueno (T)
Attendance: 5,500