After suffering a shock defeat to Pembroke Athleta, Valletta returned to winning ways as they defeated wooden-spoonists St. Andrews 4-0. A win which puts Paul Zammit’s side temporarily on top the BOV Premier League table.

On the other hand, for St. Andrews, this was the twelfth defeat as they stay anchored at the bottom of the table without any points.

Valletta had three changes from the team which lost to Pembroke as Nicky Vella, Claudio Pani and Uchenna Umeh replaced Henry Bonello, Albert Bruce and the suspended Llywelyn Cremona. Apart from Bonello, Jonathan Caruana and Jhonnattann were also ruled out injured. Federico Falcone was missing through suspension. St. Andrews, on the other hand, had Edafe Uzeh making his debut. Dale Camilleri and Kyrian Nwoko were missing while Matteo Desira Buttigieg started on the bench, making way for Uzeh, Mariglen Sehitaj and Nicky Vella Petroni.

The Citizens managed to take the lead on the 23rd thanks to Njongo Priso who concluded a solo effort with an angled shot from the left which beat goalkeeper Kris Calleja.

Three minutes from the end of the first half, Uchenna Calistus Umeh received an assist by Abdelkarim Nafti and slotted the ball past Calleja with a good shot from the right.

Two minutes in the second half, Valletta scored the third goal thanks to a curved rising shot by Njongo Priso, served on the left by Nafti.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza extended the lead further on the 59th when off a cross from the right by Romeu Romao, Nafti’s header was neutralised by Calleja aided by the bar and Mifsud Triganza headed the ball home.

VALLETTA Nicky Vella, Ian Azzopardi (81′ Daniel Camilleri), Ryan Camilleri, Juan Gill Cruz, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Roderick Briffa (68′ Nicholas Pulis), Njongo Priso (72′ Jurgen Suda), Claudio Pani, Uchenna Calistus Umeh, Abdelkarim Nafti, Romeu Pericles Romao.
Subs not used: Manuel Bartolo, Albert Bruce, Russell Fenech, Jean Borg.
Coach: Paul Zammit

ST. ANDREWS Kris Calleja, Jordan Williams, Mariglen Sehitaj, Eloy Edu Nkene, Nicky Vella Petroni, Matthew Guillaumier, Michael Grima, Michael Johnson (46′ Jacob Walker), Christopher Edafe Uzeh (85′ Josh Parry), Clyde Cumbo (80′ Nick Ghio), Liam Grech.
Subs not used: Dorian Bugeja, Matteo Desira Buttigieg, Ryan Sammut, Jamie Magri Overend.
Coach: Wayne Attard.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: R. Camilleri, Vella Petroni
Scorers: 23′ Njongo Priso, 42′ Uchenna Calistus Umeh, 47′ Njongo Priso, 59′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza
BOV Player of the Match: Njongo Priso
Attendance: 695