Pieta Hotspurs were apparently on course for a rousing victory in their last Premier League match after taking a two-goal lead by halftime. But Dean Gera’s dismissal shortly after the break, lead to their downfall as Msida SJ staged a remarkable second half comeback to win 4-2.

Farewell then to Pieta, whose genuine efforts this season have been admirable, but for the most part, lacked the necessary quality and experience to blow down stronger Premier sides. They went down fighting as it should be, as Msida secured their Premier League place for another year.

With the relegation issue long being a foregone conclusion, this was another one of those meaningless league matches we have witnessed at Ta’ Qali these last weeks, with both sides putting some fringe players on show, unfortunately in front of almost empty stands.

To say the first half was lacking in action and excitement would be the understatement of the season.

Courtesy of Msida’s jittery defence, Pieta always looked more dangerous going forward.

As they ventured more frequently into enemy territory, they won a penalty towards the quarter hour after Spiteri felled Sulas inside the area. Svetlan Kondev stepped up to beat Jonathan Vella from the spot kick.

The Msida young shot-stopper, playing instead of Manuel Bartolo, was picking the ball out of his net again five minutes later, beaten by Carl Pulo’s low strike as he ran in unattended to connect on Deanov’s inviting cross from the right.

Msida tried to regroup but looked lethargic in their build-ups. They carved enough openings to have at least restored equality before the first half was over, but they either were careless in their finishing or else denied by some good goalkeeping from young Kersten Vella, deputising for Montfort in the Pieta goal.

On the few occasions the game almost woke up, Tyrone Farrugia was always involved. Dos Santos Calcado also showed a few flashes of class, but Msida’s play lacked fluidity.

Cachia shot wide when put through by Tyrone Farrugia and the latter headed Grima’s cross high. On 40 minutes, the Pieta keeper pulled out a good reflex save off Borg’s close effort, after Tyrone Farrigia had failed to put a decent finish.

The second half was hardly six minutes old, when Pieta were reduced to ten men as Gera received his marching orders after a second bookable offence. Before that, Msida had fluffed another chance as Tyrone Farrugia shot straight on the keeper after Adrian Farrugia had threaded the ball into his path from the byeline.

But as they started to exploit their numerical superiority, the Saints pulled one back on 56 minutes. Priso Doding played the ball wide to Adrian Farrugia, who beat keeper Vella with a diagonal low shot. And three minutes later Msida restored equilibrium. Adrian Farrugia’s cross from the left was missed by Dos Santos but was headed in b Tyron Farrugia, nipping in from the blind side.

After Msida’s keeper footed out Pulo’s effort in a one-on-one situation, Msida remained more menacing. Calcado Dos Santos’ free kick was headed by Tyrone Farrugia against the bar but the Msida midfielder made his towering presence tell on 64 minutes as he rose unhindered to head in Priso’s cross following a Calcado Dos Santos’ corner.

There was still time for superior Msida to score their fourth eight minutes from time, courtesy of Priso Doding’s clinical finish as Pieta were completely dismantled. And to add to the Hotspurs miserable afternoon, Kondev was also sent off in the late stages after two cautions.

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Pieta H: K. Vella, C. Cassar, S.Grech, M. Deanov, R. Grippa, C. Pulo (R. Refalo), D. Gera, S. Kondev, K. Darmanin (C. Farrugia), E. Herrera, F. Sulas (S. Micallef)

Msida SJ: J. Vella, A. Formosa (C. Spiteri), P. Borg, K. Spiteri, S. Grima (L. Micallef), T. Farrugia, P. Dos Santaos Calcado, D. Cachia, A. Farrugia (K. Grech), N. Priso Doding, G. Dos Santos

Referee: S. Tanti asst.refs: J. Camilleri, J. Spiteri 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: S. Kondev (pen), C. Pulo, A. Farrugia, T. Frrugia (2), Priso Doding

Yellow cards: P. Santos Calcado, D. Gera, S. Kondev, C. Cassar, S. Grech

Red card: D. Gera, S. Kondev

Player of the match: Tyrone Farrugia (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. T. Farrugia 2. A. Farrugia 3. P. Dos Santos Calcado