Pieta H.: S. Darmanin, M. Abdilla (S. Ortas), K. Farrugia, G. Sciberras (S. Ciscaldi), I. Woods, N. Schembri, B. Nisevic, S. Repuh, A. Spiteri, D. Camenzuli (C. Okoh), C. Calleja.
Marsaxlokk: I. Casha, I. Zammit, C. Magro, S. Tellus, K. Mamo, T. Templeman, D. Camilleri, M. Trendafilov, M. Licari (E. Thornton), S. Georgiev (E. Barbara), R. Buhagiar (C. Paiber).
Referee: P. Caruana. Asst. Refs: I. Spiteri, C. Micallef. 4th official: J. Attard.
Scorers: M. Licari, M. Trendafilov, E. Barbara.
Yellow cards: T. Templeman, I. Zammit, R. Buhagiar, B. Nisevic,
Best player of match: M. Trendafilov (Marsaxlokk)
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Trendafilov; 2. M. Licari; 3. R. Buhagiar.
Marsaxlokk returned to winning form yesterday evening as they brushed aside a feeble challenge from Pieta to move to the 16-point mark in the standings, one point behind the same Pieta and three ahead of Msida.
They still occupy seventh place, however, but are now in a stronger position to challenge for a berth in the top six in the second phase.
It was a relief for the southern seasiders to return to victory, but for Pieta there was all-round disappointment after they had gone through three consecutive wins, including the 3-2 over Birkirkara last Sunday.
Marsaxlokk had a new-look side with two of their three new foreigners making their debut. These were Bulgarians Mitko Trendafilov and Stanimir Georgiev. The former was outstanding and has already showed that he will be a great asset to the side, while Georgiev will need more time to settle down.
They also had Jamie Pace missing through suspension while Etienne Barbara was sitting on the bench – today he is expected to become a Sliema Wanderers player. Others sitting it out on the bench yesterday were Carlo Mamo and Cesar Paiber.
Pieta also had some regulars missing, among them Chris Okoh, Pierre Aquilina and Sanin Ortas, all sitting on the bench. Cleaven Frendo also missed the match.
On the other hand, for Marsaxlokk, Richard Buhagiar was making a welcome re-appearance in the heart of the defence after a long absence through injury.
After a quiet start, Marsaxlokk threatened first on 11 minutes. Newcomer Trendafilov’s freekick from the left passed across the Pieta goal with Charlo Magro just failing to make contact with the ball.
Two minutes later, Marsaxlokk took the lead. They were awarded another freekick on the other side and this time, Trendafilov’s cross was headed in by Malcolm Licari.
On the 27th minute, Pieta claimed a penalty when Casha fumbled the ball and Claudio Calleja ended up on the ground, but Mr Caruana, close to the action, waved play on.
On 34 minutes, Pieta were unlucky not to have equalised when a Repuh freekick hit the underpart of the upright with Casha beaten.
Two minutes later, off a Woods low cross, Richard Buhagiar almost committed an own goal, clearing to corner, but only just missing the upright.
Just before the interval, Marsaxlokk added a second goal to their tally. And by right, it was Bulgarian newcomer Mitko Trendafilov who scored a beauty of a freekick, beating Darmanin all ends up.
Pieta went out in search of a goal in the second half and Sciberras was close with a shot that just missed the target.
On 53 minutes, it was Barbara who entered as a substitute, who had a shot well saved by Darmanin.
At the other end, Okoh also had a shot turned to corner by Casha, while immediately afterwards, Trendafilov set Barbara who had a lob over Darmanin changing direction and therefore missing the target.
On 64 minutes it was 3-0. Licari set Barbara who advanced before dribbling round Sciberras and beating Darmanin with a low shot.
In added injury time, it was Casha who denied Repuh and Pieta a consolation goal, turning his freekick to corner.