Marsaxlokk-Pieta H. 1-3
Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Magro, S. Wellman, N. Gomes Dos Santos, S. Bajada (K. Mamo), M. Licari, J. Pace (W. Soares Gomes), T. Templeman, C. Frendo, A. Schembri (C. Carabott), C. Nwoko
Pieta H: A. Hogg, P. Aquilina, C. Okoh, F. Marius, D. Camenzuli, C. Sammut, S. Kondev, S. Ciscaldi, C. Calleja, M. Deanov (R. Grech), M. Galea (D. Gera)
Scorers: M. Deanov (pen), C. Calleja, M. Galea, M. Licari
Referee: K. Azzopardi Asst. refs: K. Borg, S. Tanti 4th official: M. Borg
Yellow cards: C. Okoh, S. Wellman, C. Calleja, D. Camenzuli, A. Schembri, C. Nwoko
Player of the match: Martin Deanov (Pieta H)
TMI top three: 1. M. Deanov 2. C. Calleja 3. C. Frendo
Marsaxlokk’s unbeaten run in seven matches came to a halt yesterday afternoon when they were surprisingly defeated by a revamped Pieta side. The Hotspurs however fully deserved their win as they showed perseverance and commitment to clearly emerge the better team.
In truth Pieta looked slightly the better of a tight and uneventful first half but a penalty goal just before half-time paved the way to their success, their first since beating Sliema Wanderers in the last match of the first round.
Pieta’s attacking intentions were the cleverer, Martin Deanov being the inspiration for most of their creativity. This form, boosts their chances for the coming encounters in the Relegation Pool as the lower part of the standings becomes more complicated.
Marsaxlokk, despite having Pace and Kevin Mamo, as a second half substitute, back in their side, yesterday looked impotent, with their continuing failure to breach opposing defences. They were outfought in virtually every area and their reliance on Frendo as their only source of creativity, always looked destined to end in frustration.
Both side failed to produce anything noteworthy in a tepid half hour. But gradually Pieta started to find momentum, threatening with a Ciscaldi first timer, just missing the target.
A Pace header, on a Licari free-kick was saved by Hogg.
Marsaxlokk went in shell-shocked by half-time, conceding a 42nd minute penalty by Martin Deanov, after Wellman was judged to have fouled Camenzuli inside the area from a Pieta corner kick.
Marsaxlokk put in Kevin Mamo and Soares Gomes at the start of the second half and looked like upping the tempo.
But Pieta went closest although Kondev wasted the good opportunity on 58 minutes when put clear by Aquilina’s pass but shot horrendously wide in front of a gaping goal.
On the hour, there was no denying the Hotspurs their second goal, executed in simple but effective fashion.
Deanov played the ball square from the right for the advancing Claudio Calleja to steer it low beyond keeper Gauci’s reach.
Hardly four minutes later Marsaxlokk collapsed to concede yet a third goal. Mark Galea kept his cool when in possession inside the Marsaxlokk area and after putting off an opponent again deceived keeper Gauci with a low well placed strike to score his first goal for his new club.
The bar saved Marsaxlokk from further derision on 76 minutes, holding off a Kondev free-kick as Pieta were in complete control and their opponents down and finished.
Only in added time, Malcolm Licari pounced on a Wellman through ball inside the area to net what was scant consolation for the outplayed Southseasiders.