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Valletta pounce on Balzan’s slip-up to go top

Published: 09-04-2018 11:15
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VALLETTA                   3ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 0 Valletta made the most of Balzan’s slip-up against Tarxien Rainbows as they brushed aside Ħamrun Spartans to go top of the standings with two matches left.  A Kryian Nwoko brace and a goal from Santiago Malano ensured an important win for Valletta who moved two points clear of Balzan. The Whites seized the initiative from the off but had to wait until 33 minutes to break the deadlock. Nwoko’s drive from outside the box took a deflection off a Spartans defender with the ball rolling past the wrong-footed Jake Galea, the Ħamrun Spartans goalkeeper. Energised by their opener, Valletta added a second seven minutes later. Italian striker Matteo Piciollo picked out Malano inside the area with the Argentine controlling the ball before firing his shot past Galea. In the second half, Valletta remained in control with the Spartans struggling to muster a reaction. On 65 minutes, Triston Caruana threatened to pull one back but his firm drive from outside the area was marginally off target. With 12 minutes left, Valletta wrapped up the issue. Rowen Muscat’s central drive from the distance was partially held by Galea who tried to close down Michael Mifsud but the loose ball fell to Nwoko who blasted home.BOV player of the match: Santiago Malano (Valletta). SLIEMA WANDERERS 2FLORIANA                    2 A late goal from midfielder Edmond Agius earned Sliema Wanderers a point in a 2-2 draw against Old Firm rivals Floriana at the National Stadium on Sunday. This result is a blow for the Greens’ Europa League hopes as they are level with Hibernians on 42 points, two behind Birkirkara and six adrift of third-placed Gzira United. Floriana went ahead in the 14th minute when Juninho Cabral capitalised on a misunderstanding between goalkeeper Glenn Zammit and a defender as the two got in each other’s way on the edge of the area. The Brazilian midfielder moved past Stefamo Bianciardi before tapping home. Michele Sansone equalised for Sliema on 32 minutes, hitting home from close range after getting on the end of a cross by Ricardo Correa. The Greens restored their one-goal lead a minute from half-time, Mario Fontanella nipping in to stab the ball past Zammit after being set up by Sebastian Nayar. Floriana looked set to take maximum spoils as the match reached its closing stages but two minutes from time, Agius headed the ball home after meeting a cross by Matias Muchardi from the right.BOV player of the match: Mario Fontanella (Floriana).