PIETA H 2

FLORIANA 1

Pieta H: A. Hogg, C. Okoh, B. Sciberras, S. Ciscaldi, C. Calleja (M. Galea), C. Sammut, D. Camenzuli, S. Kondev, F. Marius, A. Decesare (A. Spiteri), R. Grech

Floriana: S. Agius, J. Briffa, M. Caruana, I. Ciantar, R. Gang-Rtsa, T. Cilia (C. Caruana), C. Cassar, A. Eviparker, M. Micallef, A. Mifsud, R. Oba

Referee: A. M. Sant asst.refs: J. Rapa, M. Debono 4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: A. Mifsud pen, F. Marius, A. Decesare

Yellow cards: A. Decesare, J. Briffa, S. Kondev, A. Eviparker

Player of the match: Svetlan Kondev (Pieta H)

TMI top three: 1. C. Cassar 2. C. Sammut 3. S. Kondev

Pieta lingered from their bleak period to pull off a tactical triumph which condemned Floriana to a surprise defeat in the relegation battle.

Trailing by a Floriana penalty goal, the Hotspurs made a remarkable comeback, scoring twice in the last ten minutes to pull a surprise win which takes them into second place in the Relegation Pool, two points adrift of the same Floriana and one above Hamrun and Mosta.

Pieta were hampered by the absence of Martin Deanov, who is recovering from injury, and struggled in their build-ups. Okoh, deployed in an unusual striker’s role, was starving of real service although Sammut and Kondev were both industrious in midfield. Their first half performance was rather opaque against a resolute Floriana side, conceding nothing, but looking happy with a draw.

No wonder, the first half produced poor quality football with scoring chances at a premium, although both sides could have broken the deadlock had they exploited the few chances.

Sammut fluffed the first for Pieta after hardly a quarter hour when he shot off target after going past two opponents. And past the half hour Mifsud failed to conclude Cassar’s testing cross, shooting over Hogg’s stretched body in front of goal.

Floriana could have taken the lead in added time of the first half when a Camenzuli defensive blunder allowed Eviparker to go clear, but wasted the chance as he stumbled on the ball.

Pieta showed more urgency after the interval. Calleja went past Gango-Rtsa but shot over when harassed by an opponent. Kondev’s meaty free-kick on 57 minutes forced keeper Agius to tip the ball over the bar into a corner.

But past the hour, Ciscaldi handled Cassar’s cross from the left and Floriana were awarded a penalty which Adrian Mifsud tucked away in style.

Although demoralised, Pieta tried to regroup in search of an equaliser. A Sammut effort was blocked into a corner by Gango-Rtsa.

Floriana remained menacing on the break as Mifsud galloped down the left flank, played a square ball to Eviparker who incredibly placed his shot wide with only the goalkeeper standing in his way.

Floriana were to pay dearly for that miss. On 77 minutes Okoh’s header on Decesare’s cross was palmed by keeper Agius against the underside of the bar and rebounded out.

Ten minutes from time, the Hotspurs drew level. Kondev’s sailing free-kick from the right was slightly deflected by Ciscaldi in Filip Marius’ path to shoot in the equaliser.

A jaded Floriana collapsed to concede the second goal two minutes later. Sciberras’ shot was blocked on the line and Andrew Decesare tipped in the loose ball from close range.

Pieta’s joy knew no bounds. This win puts them back in the reckoning for salvation.