Marsa-Pieta H 1-1

Marsa: J. Debono, E. Yanchev, E. Mbong, D. Vella, K. Scerri, A. Ewurun, K. Cassar, B. Zammit (S. Cutajar), G. Martin, D. Cucciardi (A. Scerri), N. Fasinelli

Pieta H: A. Hogg, D. Okonkwo (C. Okoh), B. Sciberras (D. Camenzuli), A. Tasca, M. Deanov, C. Calleja, S. Kondev, D. Mifsud, E. Herrera (C. Sammut), A. Decesare, D. Theuma

Referee: A. Azzopardi, Ass. Referees: C. Micallef, G. Barbara, 4th Official: S. Tanti

Scorers: A. Ewurun, D. Theuma (pen)

Yellow cards: S. Kondev, G. Martin, A. Decesare

Player of the match: Gilbert Martin (Marsa)

TMI best three: 1. S. Kondev 2. G. Martin 3. A. Tasca

If not exactly of the highest quality, this battle of the basement between Pieta and Marsa finsished with honours even. But in reality, a point each does neither team any favours as they remain without a league win in seven matches, struggling to break free of the relegation zone.

Marsa were the better team in the first half and their one-goal lead before the interval was a deserved reward for their enthusiasm. In the absence of the suspended Bellia, they gave starts to Cucciardi and Martin as Fasinelli returned to the side.

Martin and Ewurun were always a threat with their pacey runs and the Pieta defence took too long to deal with the constant damage.

In the second half they had to absorb most of Pieta’s pressure, as they tried to defend their slender lead and lost the initiative.

A dodgy penalty spurred the Hotspurs into a rally which brought them what was, in the end, a deserved point.

Well lead by Kondev in midfield, Pieta’s shortcomings lie up front. Pieta could recall most of the regulars who had missed the previous match against Sliema, with Okonkwo, Tasca, Deanov, Calleja, Theuma and Decesare all back in the side. Surprisingly, coach Vittorio dropped Okoh, Camenzuli, Sammut and Debono to the bench.

The early exchanges were evenly balanced, with half chances at both ends.

Pieta’s keeper Hogg was quick to rush out and block Martin’s effort after only five minutes, while Marsa’s custodian Debono did well as he twice doused efforts from Kondev’s and Tasca’s free-kicks.

On 37 minutes, Decesare headed feebly Kondev’s floating free-kick and two minutes later Cassar’s volley on Martin’s cross, went narrowly wide.

Marsa broke the deadlock five minutes before the interval. Martin outpaced Sciberras with his run from midfield on the left and sent an accurate cross for the advancing Anthony Ewurun to beat Hogg from close range.

Pieta needed to show more urgency after the restart, with Sciberras making way for Camenzuli. There were calls for a penalty as Deanov came into contact with an opponent inside the Marsa area on Tarsca’s cross.

Marsa’s laid-back approach handed the initiative to their opponents who started to surmount some sustained pressure in the second half. Marsa remained resilient however, trying to hit back on the break. The passing patterns Pieta kindled in midfield died out the closer they got to goal as Marsa read their intentions.

The tackling became scrappy and occasionally late, albeit unintentionally.

Pieta were awarded a controversial penalty on 75 minutes, flagged by assistant Barbara, when Deanov was pushed inside the area and fell clumsily. Despite Marsa’s prolonged protests, Daniel Theuma stepped up to score from the spot, restoring equilibrium.

Marsa tried to surge forward after that, introducing Scerri in attack, and went close to clinching a late winner through the ever dangerous Martin.

Pieta also had their moments and Theuma spurned an even better chance when he failed to conclude when caught up by Yanchev as he was clear, face to face with the keeper.

But in the final analysis, a draw was a fair result.