Valletta earned another three precious points as they defeated Sirens 1-0 at the Centenary Stadium in a game which saw three players sent off.
This was the first win for the Citizens after collecting just one point from the previous four matches. Valletta move seventh on 27 points, one ahead of Mosta and two ahead of the same Sirens. The St. Paul’s Bay side are now ninth.
Sirens had Tamsir Jammeh sent off on the 31st minute after receiving a second yellow card.
Valletta managed to take the lead on the 75th thanks to an Eslit Sala header off a corner by Ryan Fenech.
Six minutes from time, Sirens were awarded a penalty for a foul by Ryan Camilleri on Samba Tournkara. Camilleri was sent off but from the penalty spot, Wilfried Domoraud’s effort hit the upright.
On the 90th, Henry Bonello was also sent off for Valletta after hitting an opponent.
SIRENS David Cassar, Jonathan Pearson, Lamin Bittaye, Wilfried Domoraud, Emiliano Callegari Torre, Jacob Walker, Samba Tounkara, Ryan Scicluna, Terence Agius (81′ Hamed Kone), Tamsir Jammeh, Thiago Espindola.
Subs not used; Reeves Cini, Karl Schembri, Luke Grech, Sean Schembri, Dylan Galea.
Coach: Giovanni TedescoVALLETTA Henry Bonello, Ryan Camilleri, Triston Caruana (70′ Kyrian Nwoko), Santiago Malano, Matteo Piciollo (90+4′ Sheldon Mackay), Eslit Sala, Rowen Muscat, Leandro Aguirre, Ivan Maric (46′ Ryan Fenech), Mario Fontanella (90+1′ Yenz Cini gk), Lucas Ribeiro Campos.
Subs not used: Kenley Scerri, Deacon Abela, Ryan Tonna.
Coach: Antonio Jose Cardoso MendesReferee: Etienne Mangion
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Chris Francalanza
Fourth Official: Matthew De Gabriele
Yellow Cards: Jammeh, Tounkara, Bonello, Callegari, Bittaye
Red Cards: 31′ Tamsir Jammeh, 85′ Ryan Camilleri, 90+1′ Henry Bonello
BOV Player of the Match: Eslit Sala