Birzebugia 1

Pieta H 2

After failing to register full points in their last outing, Pieta’ returned to winning ways when they beat Birzebbugia 1-2, where they dominated over the losing side for the entire 90 minutes, with Das Santos being a key player in Pieta’s attack. Pieta maintained their place at the top of the grid with 13 points, whilst Birzebbugia registered their second loss this season, and remain temporarily in second place with nine points.

Pieta’ were close to opening the scoring after 10 minutes of play, when from a corner by Pisani, Das Santos’ header was saved by goalkeeper Casha.

Eventually, Pieta’ took the lead in the 33rd minute, when following a good run, Quilin Refalo beat Casha with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area.

Twenty minutes from the start of the second half, Pieta’ were close to doubling their lead, when after fleeing the Birzebbugia defence, Das Santos crossed the ball towards Agius, whose first time effort over.

Birzebbugia tried to react and had a good scoring opportunity in the 72nd minute, when from a free-kick by Mifsud, Celeste’s low shot went inches wide.

In the 82nd minute, Pieta’ thought they sealed off the match, when from a precise pass by Das Santos, Quilin Refalo beat Cachia for the second time, with a powerful strike at the top of the net.

Birzebbugia’s efforts were rewarded two minutes before stoppage time, when after a good cross by Onuta, substitute Keith Muscat’s header surprised goalkeeper Vella, with the ball finding itself at the back of the net.

Birzebbugia pressed for the equaliser, yet their efforts were cut short in the first minute of injury time, when Frantisek Schneider was sent off for a serious foul on Farrugia.

Birzebbugia: I. Casha, K. Borg, B. Farrugia, D. Milovic, F. Schneider, G. Tanti, N. Tabone (M. Pullicino), M. Mifsud, B. E. Dnuta, M. Sciortino (K. Muscat), R. Celeste

Pieta H: K. Vella, C. Spiteri, E. B. Ciaccaglia, Q. Refalo (C. Cutajar), T. Refalo, Z. Agius, V. P. Dos Santos, L. Mallia (A. Farrugia), C. Cassar, J. B. Zarate, J. Pisani

Referee: Andre’ Arciola

St Patrick 1

St George’s 3

St George’s registered their first win this season, when they beat St Patrick 1-3 with a brilliant performance. Even if St Patrick had a good start, Cospicua soon took the game in their hands and dominated throughout most of the match. This was a very important victory for St George’s, who were at the very bottom of the grid with one sole point so far.

St Patrick opened the scoring after just five minutes, when Blendi Guckay surprised the custodian with a powerful strike from te centre of the pitch, where the ball went past Galea and ended at the back of the net.

Barely four minutes later, St George’s equalised thanks to Jonathan Ruiz, who after fleeing the St Patrick defence, beat goalkeeper Galea with a low shot.

On the half hour, St George’s took the lead for the first time in the match, when following a precise cross by Schembri, Eric Chukwunyeluanticipated Galea and concluded between the uncustoded posts.

After being the better side at the end of the first 45 minutes, St George’s had a good start to the second half, where they sieged the opponent’s defence in pursuit of their third goal.

In the 52nd minute, from a set piece by Zarb, Magro’s header was turned into a corner by the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Chukwunyelu’s central effort was cleared off the line by St Patrick’s defence.

St George’s efforts were rewarded in the 56th minute, when following a Neil Curmi’s first-timer beat Galea for the third time.

In the second half, St Patrick were rarely on the offence, where they found themselves at toils to overcome the opponents’ defence. Their negative season goes on, where after five games, they are still at the bottom of the table with just one point.

St Patrick: J. Galea, D. Zammit (A. Ellul), S. Zerafa, M. Xerri, R. Vella, I. Scicluna (R. Cassar), J. Farrugia, N. Engoudou, D. Mamo (D. Micallef), B. Guckaj, E. Grech

St George’s: T. Galea, H. Schembri, E. Sevasta, K. Magro, N. Curmi, A. Mercieca (G. Inguanez), E. Amaira (A. Abela), D. Zarb, G. Bonello, J. Ruiz (R. Boutahir), E. Chukwunyelu

Referee: Tristan Farrugia Cann

BOV League Div II

Mellieha-Gzira U 0-4