A Johann Zammit well taken goal, eleven minutes from time, and Sciberras’ lucky equaliser in the 92nd minutes were the highlight of this low profile and pathetic match.

This result rewards excessively both teams as neither of them deserved to take any points from this match.

The previous encounters between Msida and Pieta always resulted in keen tussles packed with controversy, but yesterday’s encounter was a completely different story and seemed anything but controversial.

The match was played in a very friendly atmosphere with both teams afraid to take the risk to attack, and the outcome was a complete bore.

The first attempt at goal was by Claudio Calleja who tested Borg from the edge of the area. Pieta were more aggressive in the first minutes missing a good chance with Ortas and Repuh failing to connect following a corner action.

Abshir and Calleja were Pieta’s strikers with Ortas, Repuh and Sciberras in midfield. Okoh and Camenzuli played at the heart of the defence with Aquilina and Sammut on the flanks.

Msida played with three at the back, Boni, Theuma and Josef Mifsud, with Nwoke and the powerful Zammit in attack.

On 27 minutes Repuh had another attempt at goal from close with Omer Borg saving well. Eight minutes later in their first real attack Msida almost forged ahead when Zammit and Nwoke took full advantage of a Pieta defensive blunder, with Nwoke’s chip beating Hogg but Okoh cleared for Pieta.

Msida started the second half with Adrian Farrugia and Patrick Giua for Nwoke and Josef Mifsud. On 49 minutes Repuh blasted high and minutes later Abshir headed wide a good Pierre Aquilina from the right.

Porceddu’s presence was felt after 55 minutes when his freekick went slightly over the bar.

On 66 minutes the same Porceddu had a good move on the left, his cross split the Pitea defence apart but Adrian Farrugia hesitated and failed to shoot at goal.

Pieta’s best chance came on 72 minutes when Okoh’s header beat Hogg but Rodrick Bajada was on the right spot to clear the danger.

With 11 minutes to go Msida broke the deadlock when Dino Cachia made his way on the left and crossed low to Johann Zammit who first-timed beautifully into the net.

The match finally came to life with Pieta going near two minutes later when Borg punched Abdilla’s dangerous cross and Ortas slightly missed the crossbar from the rebound.

On 92 minutes Pieta obtained a dramatic equaliser when Manuel Boni marred a good showing heading back towards his own goal, and hitting the upright and from the rebound Gareth Sciberras scored from close range.

Pieta H: A. Hogg, P. Aquilina, D. Camenzuli, C. Okoh, G. Sciberras, C. Calleja, S. Ciscaldi, S. Ortas, S. Repuh, C. Sammut, I. Abshir (M. Abdilla).

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Theuma (J. Galea), M. Boni, J. Mifsud (P. Giua), C. Micallef, P. Fenech, R. Bajada, D. Cachia, D. Nwoke (A. Farrugia), M. Porceddu, J. Zammit.

Referee: A. M. Sant, Asst refs: C. Micallef, I. Miller, 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: J. Zammit, G. Sciberras

Yellow cards: C. Micallef, G. Sciberras

Player of the match: Senad Repuh (Pieta H)

TMI top three: 1. S. Repuh 2. R. Bajada 3.D. Cachia