Prosa salvages a point for listless Valletta
Valletta had not dazzled but they scored a late goal, through their substitute Albert Prosa, just enough to avoid defeat this time.
Valletta were bereft of penetration and any semblance of cohesion, deserved nothing against sharper opponents like Sliema Wanderers but came away with an encouraging point, that hardly seemed likely, but keeps them in touch with leaders Balzan.
Sliema remain without a win in the league since November. Yet despite picking up only three points in their last five matches during that sequence, they were very close to breaking that jinx yesterday after captain Mark Scerri had given them a 15th minute lead.
Sliema were quick to the ball in midfield, with the industrious Matias Muchardi catching the eye and Scerri’s and Sansone’s performances meant that they always carried some threat through the middle.
Ni Nortey, who was handed a start, worked hard at the back, cutting much of the work of Saleh from the right flank.
Sliema’s opener was not long coming. On the quarter hour Muchardi played a through ball inside the Valletta area that found Mark Scerri unmarked to head low past keeper Bonello.
Valletta were suddenly chasing the game.
They were again missing the running and inventive of Denni Dos Santos, who did not feature in their squad yesterday.
The offensive qualities of Picciollo, Malano, Saleh and Alba might have unbalanced Valletta’s midfield at times, with only Pani keeping hold in front of the back four.
They rarely troubled the Sliema keeper during a listless performance. Towards the half hour, Alba’s shot from a distance was repelled by keeper Zammit but Beltre’ skied the ball from the rebound.
After the restart, another Malano shot from outside the area was turned into a corner by the Sliema shot-stopper.
The problem for Valletta was that chasing an equaliser meant they had to show some more penetration.
If nothing, it highlighted how impotent Valletta’s attack can be.
Nobody could have been surprised by Sliema’s tactics in the second half. They kept tight at the back and threatened on the counter.
On 56 minutes Temile’s powerful shot demanded a smart save from Bonello, turning into a corner.
For the last part, they even introduced Jefferson De Assis for the inocuous Milinceanu, showing their intent to close the game.
But nine minutes from the end, Valletta struck to restore equilibrium. Zerafa’s cross from the left was laid by Saleh in the path of substitute Albert Prosa who flicked the ball low past keeper Zammit.
Although the Wanderers created another chance when Scerri was blocked inside the area, they were pushed close at the end, when Valletta’s late onslaught needed defending and the Citizens thought they had won the game on 90 minutes
Standings
Valletta Balzan Gzira Floriana Hibernians Birkirkara Sliema Hamrun Senglea A. Mosta Naxxar Lions St. Andrews Tarxien Lija Athletic P W D L F APts 17 11 4 2 26 7 37 16 11 4 1 28 12 37 16 10 3 3 35 22 33 16 8 5 3 30 11 29 16 8 4 4 22 9 28 16 9 1 6 24 16 28 17 7 5 5 23 16 26 16 7 4 5 24 16 25 16 5 3 8 17 20 18 16 5 3 8 21 31 18 16 2 5 9 15 26 11 16 3 2 11 15 35 11 16 3 1 12 16 42 10 16 1 2 13 17 50 5