The Malta Independent on Sunday
Ever improving Senglea stun Valletta to earn precious point
from a freekick from around 35 metres.
Valletta were simply disappointing as they left a lot of gaps at the back which were exploited to the full by Senglea while I expected much more from top strikers as Kaljevic and Fontanella the latter also missing the best chance to give Valletta the three points deep into stoppage time.
The Citizens took an early lead when in the 4th minute, from a Miguel Alba cross, it was Matteo Picciolo who hit home from close in.
Soon after, at the other end, it was Leighton Grech who advanced into the Valletta area, only to see his angled effort hitting the side rigging.
On 16 minutes, Senglea went close to an equaliser when a Venancio dangerous freekick was missed by friend and foe (including goalie Bonello), but the ball past inches away from the far upright.
In the 21st minute, a Miguel Alba cross put Farrugia in difficulty, but the goalie managed to palm the ball out for Gonzalo Leyton to clear to corner.
Senglea equalised on 24 minutes. It was Diego Venancio who fired a 30-metre fine shot past a completely beaten Bonello.
Valletta replied in the 32nd minute with a Saleh low shot going just wide. Moments later, Farrugia was called to save a central freekick from Alba.
Valletta were back in the lead on 38 minutes when a harmless looking cross by Alba into the Senglea area saw El Mehdi Sidqy unluckily heading past his own goalie and into the net.
In the 45th minute, Alba was again a protagonist as he entered the Senglea area and crossed low for Fontanella who controlled the ball well, beat a defender, but hit wide from an ideal position.
Moments later, it was Salah who handed Kaljevic a clearcut opportunity with an excellent pass, but the striker’s shot was blocked by the diving Farrugia.
Senglea started the second half on a top note as they scored an equaliser on 49 minutes. It was Leyton who set Augusto Caseres in the City area; the latter breasted the ball down and fired home past Bonello.
Senglea again threatened on 56 minutes but a header by Caseres passed over the bar.
A few minutes later, Malano had a freekick going just wide.
In the 64th minute, the very active Venancio set Leighton Grech on the edge of the City area, but his effort went inches wide. And immediately afterwards, it was Caseres who again went close with a fine header that hit the crossbar.
In the 81st minute, Farrugia did well to save a Zerafa grounder.
At the other end, in the next minute, Venancio sent the Senglea fans into raptures as he fired a 35-metre freekick past a bewildered Bonello to put Senglea ahead for the first time.
In the 89th minute, Valletta managed to get an equaliser when an Alba cross was not handled well by the Senglea defence and after a melee, it was substitute Krian Nwoko who found the net from amidst a number of players.
Just before the end, Valletta had a perfect opportunity to claim all the three points when Fontanella entered the area completely unhindered only to lift his shot over the crossbar with only Farrugia to beat.