Velasco and Montebello keep up Valletta’s title push

Despite being caused some discomfort by an improved Mosta side, champions Valletta continue to keep up the pace with the two teams above them, while they still hold a steady push for the title win with nine matches still to play.

Valletta are now unbeaten in their last seven league matches.

Valletta had Steve Borg suspended and Jonathan Caruana named among the substitutes. The returning Ryan Camilleri and Jean Borg were Valletta’s central pairing in defence.

So much of Valletta’s success lately has stemmed from Maximiliano Velasco, recruited to fill the void of Federico Falcone, and the Argentine forward again took centre stage yesterday with his ability to unlock opposing defences. After scoring a brace against Sliema Wanderers the previous week, Velasco paved the way for Valletta’s victory over Mosta with two more goals. His attacking ambition tormented the Mosta defence throughout.

And Michael Mifsud’s return from a long injury on 74 minutes gives Valletta an added boost for future games. Mifsud also provided the assist for Luke Montebello’s second goal as the latter gave his side’s attack some required impetus, after making his introduction as Rowen Muscat’s substitute past the half hour, and made his contribution with another brace.

Mosta, who had conceded seven goals against Balzan the previous week, needed to reassert some defensive solidity and coach Hornyak again made several changes to his yet unsettled side. Yenz Cini played in goal as they included Tyrone Farrugia, Njongo Priso and Pedro Calcado in their starting line-up.

Tyrone Farrugia held the defensive line, making several key interceptions and apparently relishing the physical challenge against Valletta’s forward Velasco.

Farrugia was just one of several rejuvenated figures in the Mosta side. Calcado sprayed his full range of passes, sitting at the base of midfield by the addition of David Fenech. Priso carried most threat down the right flank in the first half.

As expected, Valletta made the more assertive start although they did not work keeper Cini until after the quarter hour. Then, Uchenna’s cross from the right was palmed out by keeper Cini. Borg’s diving header went just over the bar.

Mosta looked menacing on 19 minutes. Priso advanced down the right, chasing a Fenech pass, but hit the side netting.

On 23 minutes Aguirre’s corner from the right caused some embarrassment inside the Mosta area. Uchenna picked his spot with a shot going narrowly over.

Two minutes later, Valletta were close to breaking the deadlock. Velasco avoided several tackles inside the Mosta area and had also beaten the goalkeeper but his goalbound effort was cleared by Farrugia.

Mosta were admirably attempting to halt a woeful run. On the half hour, Priso went past Aguirre inside the Valletta area but his final pass went astray.

After defending stoutly for much of the first half hour, Mosta were hit with a sucker punch on 37 minutes. As Valletta defended a Calcado free kick, they caught their opponents on the break. Montebello played a long ball to the advancing Maximiliano Velasco who had only the goalkeeper to beat despite Onwudinjo’s futile effort to clear the ball.

Valletta doubled their lead one minute before the break. Malano Valletta’s Ryan Camilleri (R) reaches first ahead of Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza of Mosta Photo: Domenic Aquilina

advanced from midfield before squaring the ball in the path of the unmarked Luke Montebello to hit low past keeper Cini and give his side a comfortable cushion by halftime.

Valletta keeper Bartkus was the first to be called into action after the restart, stopping a low strike by substitute Cesar Romero, in two attempts.

But Mosta must be thankful that Valletta showed some mercy in the second half, even fluffing easy opportunities. Velasco had skied the ball from a promising position, on an inviting Cremona cross, before

he scored his side’s third on 68 minutes that sealed the match. Uchenna, set by Malano, kept going down the left flank and crossed for Velasco to hit home from close range.

Uchenna fluffed another chance, shooting wastefully over, after good work by Malano from the right.

There was still time for Valletta to score their fourth six minutes from time. Substitute Mifsud advanced down the right and crossed low from the byeline for Luke Montebello to knock the ball past the helpless Cini.