The Malta Independent on Sunday
Hampions as n final day
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Nwoko started to become involved a running battle with Gzira’s central defenders, Gatt Baldacchino and Neto. On 25 minutes, pressed by Briffa inside the area, he shot over and wide.
Valletta could easily have added a second in the first half. Towards the half hour Pulo lost the ball to Saleh, the low cross reached the unmarked Piciollo who could not control though.
On 33 minutes Gzira keeper Curmi stretched himself well to turn Alba’s meaty free kick into a corner. Camilleri skied the ball following a short Gzira clearance from Alba’s corner.
The pattern of the game did not change much in the second period. Valletta soon went close again when a Piciollo pass fell to Alba whose low drive from edge of area fractionally missed the target.
The stadium erupted on 56 minutes as the news arrived among the Valletta fans that Hibernians had taken the lead against Balzan.
And with the Valletta celebrations still going on, the volume increased on 64 minutes as the Citizens doubled their lead. Malano’s pass inside the area, carved Gzira open and Reid Saleh to chase and hit past keeper Curmi.
Denni Dos Santos and Jean Borg were also called to play their part for the last quarter hour.
And ten minutes from time, Gzira were awarded a penalty after Ryan Camilleri fouled Corbolan inside the area and Andrew Cohen stepped up to reduce the deficit.
But that could not deny Valletta.
As they were presented with the new winners’ trophy, the colourful and noisy atmosphere resonated around the populated stadium and later in the capital. Valletta Balzan Gzira Birkirkara Floriana Hibernians Sliema W Hamrun S Senglea A Mosta St. Andrews Tarxien Naxxar L Lija A PW D L F A Pts 26 17 7 2 40 11 58 26 16 7 3 42 19 55 26 15 6 5 52 33 51 26 15 2 9 44 28 47 26 12 10 4 48 18 46 26 13 7 6 43 16 46 26 11 7 8 35 26 40 26 10 5 11 39 33 35 26 7 5 14 29 47 26 26 7 5 14 28 52 26 26 6 6 14 21 41 24 26 6 5 15 34 56 23 26 5 7 14 27 41 22 26 1 3 22 23 84 6