Pietà show no mercy as Marsa creep closer to relegation

Marsa 0
Pietà Hotspurs 2

Pietà Hotspurs collected three precious points in their bid to avoid relegation from the top flight.

Goals from sturdy defender David Camenzuli and striker Martin Deanov saw Carmel Busuttil's team pulling three points clear of St George's.

As for bottom-placed Marsa, this defeat takes them closer to first division football next season.

The Hotspurs were deserving winners as they were the better team throughout. Their margin of victory would surely have been more pronounced had Pietà taken all the chances that came their way.

Coach Busuttil will now be keeping his fingers crossed that Floriana conquer St George's in the next game from the Relegation Pool as that would enable his team to keep their three-point lead over their Cottonera rivals.

Despite playing second fiddle to Pietà for long periods, Marsa could still have fought their way back into contention had they converted a penalty midway through the second half. However, Joseph Chidi Achokwu's drive from the spot was too central and Pietà goalkeeper Andrew Hogg was in the right place to smother the ball away and maintain a clean sheet.

Marsa should have been buoyed by the return of striker Gilbert Martin and Nicky Fasanelli but both players were named among the substitutes, although the former was thrown in the fray just before the hour mark.

Man of the match Deanov showed his true mettle as he had a hand in Pietà's first goal with a measured pass and struck the second himself after some quick thinking in racing through to connect to Svetlan Kondev's pass.

Inside the first 15 minutes of yesterday's match at the Hibs Ground, Deanov lofted a cross into the penalty area but Rumen Galabov's strong header was repelled by Jonathan Debono, the Marsa goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Galabov was at hand to nod the ball towards goal only for Debono to partially save the attempt. The Marsa netminder had to stretch himself to block Dylan Kokavessis's attempt from the rebound.

On 19 minutes, Marsa ventured forward and nearly took the lead through Diego Cucciardi whose powerful attempt shaved the woodwork.

Pietà went in front after 25 minutes. Deanov delivered a teasing cross from the left and Camenzuli flashed past the Marsa defence to head home from close range.

With Marsa failing to stage a bold reaction, it was Pietà who threatened to double their lead five minutes from half-time but Kondev's fierce drive flew just over.

Late in the first half, Marsa carried some anxiety among the Pietà defenders as Galabov hesitated a second too long to clear the ball. Andrew Scerri was quick to serve Victor Bellia but the latter's volley sailed over.

Roberto Provenzano could have given Pietà a more comfortable lead in the final minutes of the first half but once again Debono was alert to palm the Italian's shot away for a corner.

The first chance of the second half did not occur before the hour. Kondev executed a menacing free-kick from outside the penalty area but Debono somehow managed to save.

Three minutes later, Kondev turned provider as he chipped the ball forward towards Deanov who narrowly dodged the offside trap to sprint into the penalty area unchallenged before planting a low shot into the net. Two-nil for the Hotspurs.

Midway through the second half, it looked as though Marsa had received a lifeline in the shape of a penalty. Assistant referee Edward Spiteri raised his flag after ruling that Camenzuli tripped Marsa substitute Martin in the box.

Nigerian Achokwu stepped up for the penalty kick but his rather central effort was easily tamed by Hogg.

This missed chance dealt a heavy blow to the already fragile confidence of Edmond Lufi's team.

Pietà made the most of Hogg's important save as they regained command of the proceedings to make a winning start to their Relegation Pool campaign.

Marsa: J. Debono-6.5, G. Bencini-5.5, E. Yantchev-5.5, K. Cassar-5.5, K. Scerri-5.5, J.C. Achokwu-5, D. Cucciardi-6 ('68 W. Chircop-6), V. Bellia-6 ('56 G. Martin-6), J.P. Zammit ('29 J. Dalli-5.5), I. Umoru-5, A. Scerri-6.

Pietà: A. Hogg-7, M. Deanov-7.5, Q. Refalo-6.5 ('75 G. Goodlip), C. Sammut-6.5, R. Provenzano-6 ('70 C. Pulo), D. Camenzuli-7, S. Kondev-7, D. Mifsud-6.5, E. Herrera-6.5, R. Galabov-6.5, D. Kokavessis-6.5 ('88 D. Gatt).

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

Scorers: Camenzuli 25; Deanov 63.

Missed penalty: Achokwu (M) 70.

Yellow cards: Cucciardi; Camenzuli; Cassar; Goodlip; Gatt.

BoV player of the match: Martin Deanov (Pietà Hotspurs).