Second-half goals ease Pietà's pressure

Pietà Hotspurs 3
Mosta 0

Pietà Hotspurs' ambitions this season, after a good take-off in the championship trek, are justifiably loftier than those of last year. The only problem is that they have to cope with the pressure brought about by higher expectations.

Yesterday, they were forced to patiently bide their time and in the process survive a couple of scares before three goals in 15 minutes in the latter stages of the second period resolved the issue in their favour.

This victory has put Ray Farrugia's team on 11 points, a platform which should prove useful at the end of the first phase of the league campaign.

Mosta, on their part, may not yet be fully satisfied with the way they started their season. After tossing away two points in unfortunate fashion against Hamrun Spartans, they shocked the champions, only to return to losing ways in three consecutive games against Sliema, Birkirkara and now Pietà.

They could do little in the opening half yesterday although Pietà did not quite put their jigsaw pieces into something resembling a picture. But just when the promoted team threatened to take the lead shortly after the restart, the Hotspurs struck the goals.

Jamie Pace and Kevin Mamo were the catalysts behind their team's victory. But generally Pietà looked a sounder outfit and certainly more persistent. Mosta lacked continuity and the absence of Jura Da Silva must have been sorely feet.

The kick-off was delayed due to the teams shirts' clashing of colours. Officials of both sides conferred to sort out the problem. In the meantime the referee Chris Lautier and his assistants did not take to the pitch.

It looked as if the team not conforming to the regulations with regard to the players' outfit, would be given more minutes grace. At last, the match started 20 minutes late.

Carlos Camenzuli was handed the onerous task of replacing the injured Da Silva as Mosta tried to stem the tide which started flowing against them. Terzysky and stopper De Oliveira were fully committed to plug the middle gaps.

Crosses and flag-kicks came raining in on Mosta's fort from both flanks. In the first 15 minutes Charles Sciberras had to deal with only one central shot, however. The Hotspurs kept the upper hand, but space around their opponents' penalty area was very limited and chief strikers Licari and Woods could not be served with the right balls.

The first telling pot towards goal from Mosta came from Clive Mizzi on the half-hour mark. His shot from a free-kick sailed over the top.

Pietà opted for snap shots from deep positions and Pace twice missed the target with useful efforts. Okonkwo's close-range shot was blocked, with Licari heading over from the rebound. Somehow, Mosta kept their sheet clean until the first period.

The Hotspurs started the second half pounding forward but it was Mosta who nearly broke the deadlock when Busuttil's grounder was neutralised by Darmanin, with Cuschieri being pulled up for offside on his blocked shot from the loose ball.

Mosta again went very close. Darmanin saved grandly on Cuschieri with Dilello blocking Zammit on the line as the ball strayed towards the Mosta striker.

At the other end Licari's header flashed past the upright. Ray Farrugia's team, at last, managed to break the ice. A Woods cross from the left was headed by Okonkwo towards the middle where Pace had all the time and space to nod home.

Pietà breathed more freely, even if their opponents' obduracy could not be discounted. After all, a 1-0 lead was a flimsy advantage.

Vince Carbonaro was now forced to review his strategy. He brought in Dyson Falzon to bolster the striking options. But, in no time, they conceded a second goal.

The free-running Mamo won a couple of tackles before exchanging the ball with Licari. Coming face to face with Sciberras, he slotted in by the near post.

With their tension now defused and Mosta trying to move forward in order to salvage the game, Licari struck a third goal off a Pierre Aquilina cross.

Sharlon Pace could have added another goal in added time but his shot hit the underside of the bar before being scooped to safety. Pietà's goodies had, however, been delivered.

Pietà: S. Darmanin, M. Dilello (L. Lombardi), M. Jurilj, D. Okonkwo, G. Sciberras, I. Woods, M. Licari, D. Cummings (S. Pace), K. Mamo, A. Debono (P. Aquilina), J. Pace.

Mosta: C. Sciberras, M. Abela (R. Asciak), P. Sciriha, A. Terzyski, F. Ellul, C. De Oliveira, A. Busuttil, C. Mizzi, D. Cuschieri (D. Falzon), P. Zammit (S. Farrugia), C. Camenzuli.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Scorers: Pace 64, Mamo 71, Licari 79.

Yellow Cards: Debono, Abela.

Player Of The Match: Kevin Mamo (Pietà Hotspurs).