Pieta H-Marsa 2-1

Pieta H: M. Vella, S. Grech (E. Bugeja), M. Deanov, Q. Refalo (E. Herrera), C. Pulo, E. Camilleri (E. Vella), C. Sammut, D. Camenzuli, D. Mifsud, D. Gatt, R. Galabov

Marsa: R. Spiteri, E. Yanchev, D. Vella (G. Martin), C. Achokwu, G. Bencini, N. Fasinelli, J.P. Zammit, K. Scerri (K. Cassar), I. Umoru (D. Cucciardi), W. Chircop, V. Bellia

Referee: I. Milleri Asst. refs: M. Debono, E. Spiteri 4th official: S. Tanti

Scorers: W. Chircop, Q. Refalo, M. Deanov

Yellow cards: J.P. Zammit

Player of the match: Martin Deanov (Pieta H)

TMI best three: 1. M. Deanov 2. D. Mifsud 3. C. Achukwu

With the relegation issue already settled, this match was meaningless and only served for statistical purpose.

Pieta continued with their interrupted winning streak in the Relegation Pool despite fielding a reshuffled side, which looked good enough to beat the already doomed Marsa.

Both teams had a patched-up look, resting some key players, while giving a start to some others. Pieta dropped Hogg, Ryan Camilleri and Provenzano while Kondev was missing through suspension.

Marsa also dropped regular keeper Debono as Cassar, Martin and Cucciardi went in as second half substitutes.

Although at a slow pace, play in the first half was open, flowing and good to watch as both sides created half chances at both ends.

Marsa, in search of a first league win started well and after Pieta’s keeper Vella held out a Bellia early effort, they forged ahead after only 11 minutes.

Warren Chircop connected well on Bellia’s deep cross from the left to flick the ball past the helpless goalkeeper.

Pieta made an immediate reaction and keeper Spiteri made a difficult save on Deanov’s shot after good work by Mifsud.

Past the half hour Deanov saw the full stretched Spiteri hold out his meaty free-kick.

On the other end, Bellia galloped down the pitch, played the ball to the unmarked Chircop, whose shot was blocked by keeper Vella.

With half time looming, Pieta snatched a deserved equaliser. Deanov’s angled shot was partially cleared by Spiteri and Pulo played the loose ball towards Quilin Refalo to score his first Premier League goal from close range.

Pieta Hotspurs doubled their lead hardly a minute after the restart when keeper Spiteri failed to hold a Deanov shot, which looked fairly harmless, from near the byeline.

Marsa put in Martin and later Cucciardi to add some impetus to their attack. Keeper Vella held out a Chircop effort and on 68 minutes, the Marsa striker played a perfect cross to Martin but keeper Vella blocked with both feet into a corner.

On the other end substitute Herrera was denied by Spiteri’s elastic save on Mifsud’s pass.

In the late stages, Marsa desperately tried to breathe some consolation, at least to avoid defeat. Chircop outplayed Galabov on the right, ran through the middle but put his final shot off target as a league win eluded Marsa once again