Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, D. Bogdanovic (S. Bajada), S. Wellman, L. Dimech, K. Sammut, H. Doda (M. Licari), A. Schembri, J. Pace, C. Frendo, C. Magro (S. Tellus)
Pieta H: A. Hogg, D. Gera, B. Sciberras, A. Tasca, M. Deanov, C. Calleja (D. k
Kokavessis), C. Camilleri (A. Decesare), C. Sammut, A. Debono (C. Pulo), D. Mifsud, D. Theuma
Referee: P. Caruana Asst. refs: I. Spiteri, J. Rapa 4th official: A. Zammit
Scorers: D. Bogdanovic (pen), H. Doda, C. Mamo
Yellow cards: C. Sammut, C. Calleja
Red card: L. Dimech
Player of the match: Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk)
TMI top three: 1. C. Frendo 2. K. Sammut 3. C. Mamo
Although playing with ten men for almost an hour, Marsaxlokk were good enough to overcome Pieta's tame challenge, netting five goals in the process, after being two up by half-time, to register their first league win of the season.
For the second consecutive time, Pieta Hotspurs finished on the losing end and they are now without any points and goalless anchored to the bottom of the table, having conceded ten goals in two matches.
Pieta effected some changes from the side which went down heavily against Valletta in the opening game. Dean Gera and Dominic Mifsud started the match in the absence of Kondev, who left the club, and Ciscaldi who was relegated to the bench. Daniel Theuma made his return, playing in attack, as Herrera was dropped. Defender David Camenzuli was again missing from the squad.
For a long time, Pieta were a distant second best as they handed Marsaxlokk the initiative for most of the game. The Hotspurs played cautiously for the first part of the first half, allowing their opponents little space.
Marsaxlokk had Gareth Sciberras missing through suspension but Bogdanovic made a start in the team. But the southseasiders took a grip on the game after 22 minutes when Sammut hindered Bogdanovic's progression inside the area to concede a penalty. Daniel Bogdanovic sliced the ball between the outstretched keeper's arms and the upright from the spot kick.
Five minutes later Pieta's defence was caught off balance on Schembri's cross from the right, which Haruna Doda controlled well and fired the ball to the top of the net.
Past the half hour, Pieta wasted their best chance when Sciberras, in front of goal, failed to connect on Camilleri's inswinging free-kick.
On 38 minutes Marsaxlokk were reduced to ten men after defender Luke Dimech was sent off for dissent, probably for some foul language but the Hotspurs failed to capitalise on the numerical superiority.
They conceded a third goal within six minutes of the second half, again from a set piece. Carlo Mamo headed in Frendo's corner-kick from the left.
The match was as good as over. Pieta's tame efforts proved futile as they looked a side devoid of belief.
Luck did not smile on them either when they tried to capitalise on Marsaxlokk's laid back approach. Calleja was denied by keeper Gauci before being substituted and on 65 minutes Decesare's cross was headed from close range by Theuma. Gauci put a finger to it as the ball rebounded off the foot of the post into a corner.
An even clearer opportunity went to waste for Pieta three minutes later when Deanov took too long to conclude on Decesare's perfect pass and when he passed the ball to Theuma, the keeper saved his effort.
Playing with alarming ease, Marsaxlokk still found time to pile up two more goals in the late stages. Hogg was outplayed by Andre Schembri on 81 minutes as he rushed out of his area to intercept Pace's long ball and the Marsaxlokk player steered the ball into an unattended goal. In added time, Schembri again hit home Sammut's short pass from close range to complete his side's rout.