Dingli S 0

Pieta H 1

After two consecutive defeats Pieta Hotspurs kept their slim hopes alive when they beat Dingli Swallows 1-0 thanks to a Vinicius Pereira Dos Santos goal early in the second half.

For Dingli it was a devastating defeat that leaves them in troubled waters in the relegation zone, and their next match against St Patrick will be a decisive one. Pieta deserved their victory as they were the better team and could have even won by a bigger margin with Quilin Refalo playing a very good match, together with substitute Zach Muscat who played an important role in the second half.

Dingli tried to control the match to earn at least a vital point, but the only chance thay had of obtaining the equalizer was froma Konda freekick that hit the post.

The first half was very balanced with very few scoring chances. Pieta had more of the ball in the first half with Dingli dangerous in their fast breaks.

The first attempt at goal came on 13 minutes when Pereira Dos Santos headed towards Quilin Refalo who tested Farrugia from an acute angle, with the Dingli custodian turning into a corner.

Dingli hit back with a Porcari effort from the edge of the area with the ball going inches wide. Pieta went close again on 33 minutes when Giaccaglia tested Farrugia direct from a freekick.

In the last stages of the first half Ismael Grech tested Farrugia and in the last move of the first half, Konda passed towards Chris Azzopardi who was foiled by a timely sortie by Pieta goalkeeper Miguel Montfort.

Four minutes into the second half Pieta forged ahead when a Quilin Refalo shot was blocked by a defender with the ball coming towards Vinicius Pereiera Dos Santos who easily beat Farrugia from close range. A minute later Dingli went close to an immediate equalizer when Leontiev Konda went through inside the area, but his shot was blocked by Montfort.

Pieta were again menacing on the hour when Refalo crossed towards Pereira Dos Santos whose shot on the turn sailed over the bar. The same Pereira Dos Santos blasted high from close range two minutes later.

On 63 minutes Dingli were unlucky when a Leontiev Konda freekick hit the upright. On 77 minutes Pieta had another good chance to seal the issue but Pereira hesitated in front of goal following some good work from Zach Muscat.

Dingli S J. Farrugia, F. Owusu, K. Pace, A. Portelli (J. Sapiano), L. Konda, K. Formosa, E. Farrugia, C. Porcari, R. Vella, R. Briffa, C. Azzopardi

Pieta H M. Montfort, C. Spiteri, E. Giaccaglia, Q. Refalo, T. Agius, V. Pereira Dos Santos, L. Mallia (C. Attard), C. Cassar (A. Spiteri), J. Zarate, J. Pisani (Z. Muscat), I. Grech.

Referee Andrew James Sammut