Ten-man Valletta rescue a point thanks to stoppage-time penalty

Ten-man Valletta rescued a point in a 2-2 draw with Mosta to take sole leadership in the BOV Premier League. The Citizens lead the way by one point over Birkirkara, two ahead of Balzan and three ahead of Floriana and Hibernians.

Mosta seemed heading for victory after taking advantage of the fact that Valletta were reduced to ten men to the score in their favour but were unlucky to concede the equaliser in added time.

Apart from Jonathan Caruana, Roderick Briffa and Jhonnattann all ruled out injured, Valletta coach Paul Zammit made one change from the team which defeated Qormi as the young Jurgen Suda was named in the starting line-up with Njong Priso starting on the bench. Mosta, on the other hand, had James Brincat replacing Fredrick Abel from the team which defeated Pembroke. Ian Zammit was ruled out through suspension.

Valletta managed to take the lead on the 23rd minute when off a cross by Abdelkarim Nafti from the left, Llywelyn Cremona slotted the ball past goalkeeper Yenz Cini.

Two minutes from the end of the first half, the Citizens were reduced to ten men after Federico Falcone was sent off by referee Trustin Farrugia Cann for retaliation on Osa Guobadia.

Mosta levelled matters four minutes in the second half as a direct freekick from the right by Samuel Chukwide caught Henry Bonello unprepared with a ball ending at the back of the net.

Edin Murga missed a good opportunity on the 58th when he rounded the goalkeeper but concluded high. However two minutes later, he was not to be denied when Chukwide sent Saviour Fidelis through but the latter’s shot was blocked by Bonello, however off the rebound, the Bosnian striker hit home with a fine rising shot.

Two minutes in added time, Valletta notched the equaliser when Njongo Priso converted a penalty after Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was brought down inside the area.

MOSTA Yenz Cini, Tyrone Farrugia, Manolito Micallef, Osa Guobadia, Adrian Borg, Hassan Yau, Saviour Fidelis (60′ Fredrick Bobby Abel), Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Edin Murga (83′ Mark Brincat), James Brincat, Samuel Chukwide (76′ Dyson Falzon).
Subs not used: Omar Borg, Zachary Brincat, Ryan Grech, Aaron Sammut.
Coach: Anton Cremona

VALLETTA Henry Bonello, Ian Azzopardi, Ryan Camilleri, Juan Cruz Gill, Albert Bruce (67′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Jurgen Suda (46′ Njongo Priso), Federico Falcone, Llywelyn Cremona, Claudio Pani (89′ Russell Fenech), Abdelkarim Nafti, Romeu Pericles Romau.
Subs not used: Nicky Vella, Daniel Camilleri, Jean Borg, Matthew Spiteri.
Coach: Paul Zammit

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, David Castillo
Additional Assistant Referees: Clayton Pisani, Alan Mario Sant
Fourth Official: Duncan Sultana
Yellow Cards: Murga, Azzopardi, Micallef
Red Cards: 43′ Federico Falcone
Scorers: 23′ Llywelyn Cremona, 49′ Samuel Chukwide, 60′ Edin Murga
BOV Player of the Match: Samuel Chukwide
Attendance: 989