Pieta H 0

Rabat A 1

Rabat Ajax beat Pieta Hotspurs 1-0 in a top of the table clash, a result that puts Rabat on top of the standings equal on points with the same Pieta who yesterday suffered their second defeat of the season.

Pieta were not at their best yesterday, and credit goes to Rabat who managed to blot out of the game Pieta’s danger man Vinicius Pereira Dos Santos. The match never reached high standards and much more more was expected from two teams aiming for a place among the elite next season.

A good crowd dared the freezing weather to watch this top of the table clash between leaders Pieta and second placed Rabat Ajax. Pieta were still without Quilin Refalo, still serving a suspension, and had Jonathan Holland making his second appearance, an appearance which only lasted 33 minutes as he was substituted.

Both sides failed to impress in the first half with no decent scoring action in the first thirty minutes. Rabat had their first attempt on 31 minutes with Adam Smeir bringing the best out of goalkeeper Miguel Montfort who saved in style.

Minutes later the same Montfort was again called in action to save a Ryan Micallef header. Pieta’s only shot at goal came from Terence Agius but his weak effort was easy prey for Rabat goalkeeper Mintoff.

On 38 minutes Rabat forged ahead when Ryan Micallef robbed Giaccaglia of the ball and passed towards the advancing Wilson Caushi who beat Montfort with a low shot. Minutes later Giaccaglia was substituted.

On 41 minutes Rabat close again when Wilson Caushi beat the offside trap and from an angle tested Montfort who managed to block the danger.

On the resumption Pieta started on the attack with Pereira Dos Santos hitting wide from the edge of the area. On 53 minutes Ryan Micallef dribbled past two defenders but his shot went over the bar.

On the hour Pereira Dos Santos hit the side netting from an angled position, and Terence Agius had an attempt going slightly over the bar. On 64 minutes Pieta had their best chance when Zach Muscat’s header smashed against the crossbar.

on the other end in a quick break Rabat almost doubled the score with David Azzopardi’s run stopped by Montfort’s save. Pieta held territorial superiority for the remaining minutes but were never dangerous in front of the Rabat goalkeeper.

The Rabat defence was a solid one with Joe Cornforth playing a blinder. Rabat were more dangerous in attack with Ryan Micallef one of the best players on the field of play.

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

Rabat A S. Mintoff, C. Schembri, J. Cornforth, J. Caruana, A. Smeir, D. Falzon, C. Muscat, W. Caushi (J. Felice), Y. Cauchi, R. Micallef (C. Gauci), D. Azzopardi

Referee Clayton Pisani