Marsaxlokk strike late to deny Valletta winning finale

VALLETTA 1

Zammit 18 pen.

MARSAXLOKK 1

Attard 88

VALLETTA

C. Formosa-6, E. Ruiz-6, S. Mackay-5, T. Caruana-, A. Zammit-6 (64 J. Azzopardi), S. Dimech-5 (76 P. Ohaka), C. Gauci-6.5, E. Pena Beltre-6.5 (90 J. Mallia), F. Falcone-5 (90 K. Farrugia), L. Cremona-5 (76 Z. Barbara), J. Willy-6.

MARSAXLOKK

J. Gamonal Ruiz-6, C. Uzeh-5.5 (75 K. Dimech), T. Vella-6.5, S. Ferraris-, D. Mifsud-5 (63 A. Attard-6.5), J. Aguilar-5 ( 63 PP. Sammut), O. Carniello-6, F. Moracci-5, D. Vukovic-5, D. Agius-5, T. Fonseca-6 (46 P. Xuereb-5).

Referee: Slawomir Olucha.

BOV Player of the match: Emny Pena Beltre (Valletta).

Marsaxlokk gained a much-needed boost ahead of their crunch FA Trophy semi-final against Gżira United to deny Valletta a victorious adieu party.

Although Valletta saw more of the ball, Marsaxlokk deserved their point as they were the more determined and hard-working team, defending well and breaking forward on the counter.

The Citizens did everything to end a miserable season on a winning note but the match produced a sting in the tail as Marsaxlokk stuck a last-gasp equaliser to deny Valletta a fourth win in seven matches.

Marsaxlokk still in contention for the FA Trophy, began with purpose and industry, threatening the Valletta goal early on with Santiago Ferraris missing a glorious chance to put them ahead in the 12th minute.

Tiago Fonesca sliced open the Valletta defence with a throughball for Ferraris who shot straight at Formosa after coming face-to-face with the goalkeeper.

Valletta had created precious little until the 16th minute when a moment of madness by Moracci gifted the Citizens the lead.

The Argentine midfielder struggled to contain Enmy Pena Beltre’s pace and chopped him down for a clear penalty with the Panama winger bearing down on goal. Andrea Zammit had no problem firing home the penalty.

It was only when Valletta coach Thane Micallef began to give home-grown hopes added experience in the Premier League that the Southseasiders began to open City up.

On 70 minutes, Terence Vella whipped in a corner and as the Valletta defence slept, Oscar Carniello sneaked in and headed just wide off the far post of Formosa.

Two minutes from time, Attard latched on to a precise through-ball to drill the ball home from the edge of the box.