Pieta H.-St Patrick 0-2

St Patrick: F. Azzopardi, M. Pullicino (S. Costa Brazilino), R. Cassar, M. Fleri Soler, M. Tanti (D. Gauci), C. Micallef, T. Caruana, F. Benoir, P. Anizoba Chizoba, S. Zerafa, C. Dozie (S. Dimech).

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

Referee: P. Caruana Asst refs: A. Camilleri, A. Arena 4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: C. Dozie, T. Caruana.

Yellow cards: S. Ortas, M. Pullicino, S. Zerafa, C. Dozie, C. Calleja, D. Camenzuli

Player of the match: F. Azzopardi (St Patrick)

TMI top three: 1. F. Azzopardi 2. S. Ortas 3. M. Tanti

This win puts St Patrick back in the reckoning for salvation as they move within one point of Msida and three behind the same Pieta in the Relegation Pool.

Although forced back inside their own half for long periods, the Saints showed their attacking potential late in the game. The return of Dozie after missing some matches, was determining as he scored one of his side’s goals. He was given good service by both Tanti and Caruana.

But the man of the match was undoubtedly the Saints keeper Franklin Azzopardi who pulled a string of fine saves to keep his side into the match when Pieta were putting on all the pressure.

In spells, Pieta betrayed the gloom which has settled into their side since the departure of several players, but despite all their welter of possession, they failed to perforate the opposing defence.

St Patrick made the better start with an Anizoba cross from the right after nine minutes, palmed out by the Pieta keeper Hogg as Caruana’s volley on the loose ball was blocked by the defenders.

Gradually Pieta started to find rythmn with their ample share of possession. On 22 minutes Okoh headed an Ortas free-kick over and midway through the half an Ortas powerful drive from outside the area was tipped into a corner by keeper Azzopardi.

Past the half hour an Aquilina cross shot from the right was tipped over the bar by the keeper into a corner. And before half-time, Pieta again went close with an Okoh shot on Repuh’s short free-kick, again saved by the Saints keeper.

Pieta kept up the momentum even after the re-start. An Abshir shot on Ortas cross was superbly saved into a corner by Azzopardi, who was soon called to save again a Repuh quick free-kick.

On 52 minutes St Patrick were regaled with the most open of chances which they contrived to miss. Tanti played a square ball to the unmarked Caruana in front of goal but he shot weakly and the goalkeeper could save.

On 65 minutes Sciberras was pushed inside the area by substitute Costa Brazilino on an Ortas cross but the infringement went unnoticed.

But the danger of prolonged offensive play is the chance you can always get caught on the break. This was epitomised on 70 minutes when Tanti found open space and played a through ball to the advancing Chima Dozie who beat keeper Hogg with a low diagonal shot.

That goal galvanised St Patrick’s hopes and they hypothecated their win seven minutes later. Camenzuli tried to head out Tanti’s cross from the left, the ball fell to the unmarked Thomas Caruana who beat the stranded Hogg with a spectacular volley.

The Hotspurs still summoned enough courage to move valiantly forward in the last stages. But the optimal Azzopardi was again up to task saving Repuh’s shot and Pieta were later denied by the crossbar, holding out substitute Camilleri’s headed effort on an Aquilina corner kick.