Zejtun C 0

Pieta H 0

Pieta finished on top of the First Division League at the end of the first round, with a precious scoreless draw against title challengers Zejtun. Pieta thus remain sole leaders one point more than Rabat Ajax and five over third placed Melita, with Zejtun in fourth position six points adrift.

This was a must win match for Zejtunagainst the league leaders, but they failed to impress as Pieta held the edge especially in the first fourty five minutes where the Hotspurs dictated matters.

Pieta had some regular players missing, namely Quilin Refalo and Larsson Mallia, whilst Zejtun had star striker Gers Delia on the substitute’s bench. Pieta were spearheaded by Zach Muscat who abandoned his usual defensive role to give a helping hand upfront.

Pieta were the better team in the first half and Vinicius Pereiera Dos Santos was stopped by a Ranier Farrugia sortie in the opening stages. Minutes later Giaccaglia had a god header going wide.

Zejtun’s best chance of the first half came on 12 minutes when striker Kenneth Abela anticipated a hesitant defence but his header missed the upright by a whisker.

On 25 minutes Pieta went close again with Pereira Dos Santos again blocked by Ranier Farrugia after some messy defensive play in the Zejtun penalty area. Four minutes later Pieta almost took the lead when a Terence Agius effort went inches wide. In the dying minutes Pereira Dos Santos again was unmarked on the right but his shot was off target.

In the second period Zejtun took a different approach as they played better, taking control of midfield. Nikolay Filipov had two scoring opportunities but in both instances his headers were off target. Pieta hit back with a fierce Pereira Dos Santos freekick sailing over the bar.

On 74minutes a good Zejtun move with Elzaredi passing towards Kenneth Abela who shot wide from an angle. Ten minutes from time Pieta had a golden opportunity with Pereira Dos Santos’ header from close range well saved by Ranier Farrugia.

Zejtun went very close six minutes from time when a Kenneth Abela cross deceived Montfort but Cleaven Cassar saved his side when he cleared the ball a meter away from the goal line.

Zejtun C R. Farrugia, A. Farrugia, C. Magro, M. Borg, E. Azzopardi, S. Sciberras, N. Filipov, S. Magro, W. Elzaredi, K. Abela, K. Ganchev.

Pieta H M. Montfort, C. Spiteri, E. Giaccaglia, T. Agius, Z. Muscat, V. Pereira Dos Santos, C. Cassar, J. Zarate, J. Pisani (C. Cutajar), C. Grech, A. Farrugia (C. Attard)

Referee Fyodor Zammit