APS Bank U/15 Section A

Pieta H 1

Paola H 3

This game at Melita Ground was watched by a large crowd as both teams occupy top spots in the table. Following this win Paola lead the standings on 45 points from 17 games, while Pieta are in third place on 34 points, also from 17 games.

It was a keenly contested game ably controlled by referee Roberto Vella who had good control of the proceedings and stood no nonsense from the players.

The first period was very shorn of actions worthy of note.

The second period was a totally different story as much more actions were created, and during which all four goals were scored. The first two actions came from Pieta: Franklin Agius served Dylan Xuereb with a short corner pass and Grima saved his shot from outside the area and after Franklin Agius was fouled on the right edge of the area, Terance Agius served Cesare in the area from the free kick but he drove over the bar.

In the 38th minute Paola opened the score as they won a free kick in midfield which was taken by Shane Chircop who scored with a powerful rising shot. The reaction by Pieta was immediate as they created three actions in a row. Daniel Zerafa won a loose ball in Paola's half and after dribbling past two defenders Grima saved his shot from outside the area in two attempts, the same player headed slightly over the bar after a well-taken flag kick by Xuereb. Terance Agius was then fouled near the right corner flag and Xuereb took charge of the free kick and he floated a perfect ball in the area creating havoc but the ball was somehow cleared.

Pieta equalised in the 48th minute as substitute Zachary Gatt gained possesion of the ball in Paola's half and after side-stepping a defender he scored with a rising shot from 40 metres.

In a similar action minutes later Daniel Zerafa won a loose ball in his own half and Grima saved his powerful rising shot in two attempts.

Three minutes before the end Terance Agius was shown the yellow card for a late tackle, and two minutes before normal time Paola scored a second goal as Scott Chircop served Bezzina with a cross from the left and as he was unmarked in the area he made no mistake with a low shot, and just before the end of normal time Paola put the issue beyond any doubt as they scored a third goal by the same player after he was served with a through ball in the area by Scott Chircop. In the first minute of added time Pieta player Danile Zerafa was shown the yellow card for dissent towards the referee's decision.

Referee; Roberto Vella Player of the match: Johann Bezzina (Paola H)