Vittoriosa go top after 3-1 win

Pietà Hotspurs 1
Vittoriosa Stars 3

Kenneth Abela scored a hat-trick yesterday as Vittoriosa Stars continued with their good run of form to beat Pietà and leapfrog them at the top of the standings on 28 points.

George Faure's side were well-worth their win as they created the most chances throughout the match.

Martin Deanov was again the force behind Pietà but this time they had to play second fiddle to their opponents, particularly after the dismissal of Domenic Mifsud after just 30 minutes.

The Hotspurs took control of proceedings at the start. Surely, they looked more composed than the Stars and created a couple of good chances early on. Simon Shead just missed the target from a Deanov cross and Mifsud's shot was turned away for a corner by the alert Alex Camilleri.

However, Vittoriosa took the lead after nine minutes, with Kenneth Abela's first goal, and they never looked back.

They continued to play well with Darren Grech tormenting the Pietà defence and keeping keeper Ivan Cassar under pressure.

Mifsud was then sent off for dissent and on 40 minutes, the Stars made it 2-0 when Abela rose high to head home from a Grech cross.

Despite the numerical handicap, Pietà tried to get back in contention and on 61 minutes Deanov pulled one back for his team with a fierce drive from a Shead pass.

Pietà continued to attack in search of an equaliser but Vittoriosa defended wisely and struck the 'killer goal' on 72 minutes when Abela headed home to crown a fine day for him and his team.

Pietà: I. Cassar, C. Sammut, J. Delia (C. Pulo, T. Vella), B. Sciberras (R. Camilleri), M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, S. Shead, J.L. Poulangoye, I. Grech, D. Mifsud, K. Cassar.

Vittoriosa: A. Camilleri, L. Scerri (R. Adami), K. Abela, K. Darmanin, S. Calleja (S. Privitelli), J. Spiteri, A. Eviparker, J. Camilleri, D. Grech, P. Aquilina, L. Lagana (C. Cachia).

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Kenneth Abela (Vittoriosa).

Mqabba 3
Dingli Swallows 0

Surprisingly, Mqabba found little difficulty in disposing of front-runners Dingli at the Tedesco Stadium, yesterday. They dominated the match from start to finish as the scoreline clearly indicates, leaving Dingli reeling after failing to halt the likes of John Paul Muscat and Shawn Magro.

Mqabba ventured forward in attack from the word go.

Michael Borg Olivier shot weakly into the hands of goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia after some good work by Magro who then released Mauro Bonnici in the Mqabba box but was tripped by Roderick Spiteri.

A penalty was awarded and Claudio Calleja made it 1-0 from the spot in 15th minute.

Uchanna Anywanna failed to connect for Dingli in the opponents' box, Etienne Farrugia's cross reaching Chris Ciappara who hit wide.

On 38 minutes, Mqabba keeper Kris Calleja tipped over the bar a Ciappara free-kick and three minutes before the break the active Muscat dribbled his way through but his shot came off the upright.

Mqabba made it 2-0 on 50 minutes. Calleja seized possession 40 metres outside the Dingli box, beat three defenders on the run and the goalkeeper to hit home a delightful goal.

Kris Calleja made a superb save on Jeremy Agius's scorcher at the other end as Dingli started to increase the pressure, Magro ruining his fine performance on 77 minutes when he was sent off.

However, three minutes from time Mqabba sealed the issue when Christian Muscat handled the ball in his own box and a penalty was given. Muscat was shown the red card and from the spot substitute Mead Mifsud made the final score 3-0.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Catania, M. Bonnici, P. Grima, P. Borg, S. Magro, D. Azzopardi, C. Calleja (M. Camilleri), J.P. Muscat, E. Borg, M. Borg Olivier (M. Mifsud).

Dingli: J. Farrugia, C. Caruana (E. Casha), R. Spiteri, C. Ciappara (J. Agius), K. Formosa, C. Muscat, J. Cachia, E. Farrugia, G. Failla (G. Failla), R. Mintoff, U. Anywanna.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Man of the match: Patrick Borg (Mqabba).