Valletta moved to the top of the VBET Malta Premier standings after Brazilian striker Bruno Gomes scored a hat-trick in a convincing 3-0 victory over Birżebbuġa St Peter’s at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday.
The Citizens returned to winning ways following their 2-2 draw against Balzan, while Birżebbuġa remained rooted to the bottom of the table without a point after suffering their sixth consecutive defeat.
The encounter went ahead despite adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain around an hour before kick-off. Following a pitch inspection, referee Emanuel Grech gave the go-ahead for the match to be played.
However, the second fixture scheduled at the same venue, between Mosta and Gżira United, was postponed to avoid further damage to the playing surface.
Birżebbuġa were once again led from the bench by assistant coach Claude Carbonaro, as newly appointed coach Luciano Santana Martel had not yet been granted permission to take his place on the bench.
Valletta made a flying start and took the lead after just four minutes.
Brandon Paiber delivered a cross from the right and Roko Prsa set up Gomes, who beat goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi with a low effort.
Birżebbuġa responded in the 14th minute when Yuri Messias tried his luck from outside the penalty area, but his effort went wide.
Valletta continued to threaten and Azzopardi was called into action in the 31st minute when he rushed off his line to anticipate Gomes.
Four minutes later, Diogo Tavares exchanged passes with Prsa before testing the Birżebbuġa goalkeeper with an angled effort from the right. Azzopardi partially saved the shot, but Prsa fired the rebound over the crossbar.
Birżebbuġa emerged with greater determination after the interval and almost equalised two minutes into the second half when substitute Godberg Cooper headed over from an inviting Shaun Dimech cross.
However, Valletta doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute when Gomes capitalised on a mistake by Azzopardi.
The Birżebbuġa goalkeeper rushed out of his penalty area in an attempt to intercept a cross but slipped, allowing the Brazilian striker to place the ball into an empty net.
Just two minutes later, Gomes completed his hat-trick to put the result beyond doubt.
Thaylor Aldama advanced down the right before setting up Jake Azzopardi, whose low effort was partially saved by the Birżebbuġa goalkeeper. Gomes reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home from close range.
Valletta continued to press forward, with Azzopardi producing another save in the 72nd minute to deny Paiber before further attempts from Gomes and Petar Sekulovic were also kept out.
Birżebbuġa had a late opportunity to reduce the deficit when Alex Bruno tested Adilson Maringa with a cross-shot from the right, but the Valletta goalkeeper was equal to the effort.
The victory enabled Valletta to climb to the top of the standings, while Birżebbuġa’s search for their first points of the season continues.
VBET Malta Premier – Opening Round
Birżebbuġa St Peter’s 0
Valletta 3 (Bruno Gomes 4, 63, 65)
Venue: Tony Bezzina Stadium
Referee: Emanuel Grech
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