The Malta Independent on Sunday
Goalless between Valletta and Birkirkara
Valletta u Birkirkara figured out a goalless draw in the main match on Saturday with both teams giving more room for leaders Hibernians to increase their lead at the helm.
It was an interesting match with both teams having their moments though Valletta had a number of chances nearing the end of the first half, which was their best moment of the entire match.
After a bumpy start to this campaign, the Citizens have managed to recover ground and in recent weeks, they have gone on a run of results. This has seen them climb up to second place five points adrift of leaders Hibernians.
On the contrary their opponents Birkirkara have lately suffered a dip in form and are now five points away from the summit. They returned to winning ways last week as they defeated Sliema.
The first chance fell Birkirkara's way when on 21 minutes Yankam found Montebello who played the ball into Falcone's direction only for the latters shot to miss out.
A minute later a Venancio shot was saved by Guarnone. On 33 minutes Valletta came into the picture through a Curjuric cross which found Dilaver but his shot from close range was saved by Fernandes.
Ten minutes from the break another chance for Valletta this time through a Tulimieri cross which found once again Dilaver but his header was partially saved by Fernandes with the rebound finding Muscat but his
shot was deflected by Pepe.
Valletta kept piling on the pressure and in the 36th minute Muscat made his way past Venancio but after heading towards goal his shot ended wide.
Seven minutes from the end of the first half Valletta near once again when Jean Borg found Tulimieri his shot saved by Fernandes.
The rhytm in the second half slowed a bit and it was only in the 68th minute that Valletta went near though a Curjuric free kick which just missed the target.
Eleven minutes from the end of the match Birkirkara missed a good chance when Attard found Montebello but missed with only Guarnone to beat.
With the last chance of the match coming from the Stripes through an Aguirre free kick which went wide off the mark.