chris cassar

Relegation haunted sides St George's and Pieta earned a point each after a drab match that failed to produce goals or scoring chances. It looked obvious from the start that both sides were more interested in not losing the match, rather than winning the three points at stake.

The outcome was the most logic, in a match that confirmed once again the sorry state of both sides, especially Pieta. For in all honesty, St George's deserved something more from this match, especially after their late rally. But in their best moment they found Andrew Hogg in brilliant form.

Apart from Hogg, Pieta's best came from youngster Quilin Refalo, who was also voted player of the match. The Hotspurs are still in search of their first win of the season, and will have to improve if they wish to avoid the big drop.

Both teams made little changes to their recent line-ups, with St George's still without Do Nascimento. The first half was a real bore to watch with both teams concentrating mainly in defence.

Conceicao, for the Saints, and David Camenzuli, for Pieta, were in good form, as was the Saints' goalkeeper Bernard Paris who was very effective in his handling. Lawrence Mizzi, for St George's, and Quilin Refalo for Pieta, were the best players in the first half as they tried to put some sense and geometry in their play.

Pieta had the better start with Refalo, Deanov and Kokavessis keeping Conceicao and company on the alert. However Pieta's first attempt came on 12 minutes through Refalo whose shot was blocked by Paris. At the other end, St George's missed an easy chance when Darmanin failed to head home a well taken Mizzi freekick.

On 23 minutes from another well taken freekick by Mizzi, Johann Spiteri came from the blind side, but his header hit the side netting. The match failed to lift from mediocrity level, with the only decent shot at goal coming on 44 minutes through Johann Spiteri.

Unfortunately the second half was an exact replica of the first, with both teams not capable of creating scoring chances.

On the hour Darmanin missed an easy chance when he hesitated in front of goal following a Conceicao freekick. Minutes later Pieta made a good move on the right flank with Refalo's dangerous shot blocked by a providential dive by defender Formosa.

Pieta created another good opportunity when Refalo, who played a very good match, tested Paris with a dangerous cross shot, with the Saints custodian saving with difficulty. On 72 minutes Andrew Hogg saved his side with a splendid save off a close range shot by Spiteri.

St George's introduced Do Nascimento and the Brazilian had his first attempt seconds later, testing Hogg with a grounder. On 76 minutes Andrew Hogg saved his side from capitulation when he blocked two point blank efforts from Johann Spiteri and Lee Grima, in the Saints' best move.

The last minutes were dominated by St George's who kept constant pressure on Pieta, but the Hotspurs' defence defended well till the final whistle.

* * *

Pieta H: A. Hogg, B. Sciberras, M. Deanov, Q. Refalo, C. Pulo, C. Sammut, D. Camenzuli, S. Kondev, D. Mifsud, E. Herrera, D. Kokavessis.

St. George's: B. Paris, B. Fenech, R. Conceicao, L. Grima, C. Brincat, K. Formosa, J. Spiteri, L. Mizzi, H. Schembri (E. Do Nascimento), E. Sevasta, K. Darmanin (E. Degabriele).

Referee: C. Lautier. Ass. Referees: I. Spiteri, J. Camilleri, 4th official: A. Arciola.

Yellow cards: C. Pulo, C. Brincat, D. Mifsud, E. Herrera, J. Spiteri, S. Hammad

Player of the match: Quilin Refalo (Pieta H.)

TMI top 3 1. Q. Refalo, 2. L. Mizzi, 3. J. Spiteri