Pietà put promotion bid back on track

Mosta 1
Pietà Hotspurs 3

Pietà Hotspurs have revived their promotion bid after beating Mosta 3-1 at the Tedesco Stadium.

The Hotspurs' hopes of regaining their top-flight status appeared to have suffered a blow after back-to-back defeats to St George's and Vittoriosa Stars but the Blues are back on track. They have 30 points from 17 matches, one fewer than leaders Vittoriosa and two more than Dingli Swallows who have a game in hand.

Unsurprisingly, Martin Deanov was central to Pietà's win yesterday. The Bulgarian forward scored two goals and was a constant threat to Mosta.

Gianluca Calabretta was an enterprising performer for Mosta but missed a couple of chances.

Goalkeeper Miguel Montfort returned for Pietà after recovering from a long-term injury.

It was Pietà who gained the early initiative. After only two minutes, Simon Shead pounced on a poor defensive clearance but his effort was saved by Jonathan Debono who turned the ball away for a corner.

Mosta replied on 12 minutes when Calabretta's drive from just outside the area was pushed away by Montfort. From the corner, taken by Bryan Agius, Adrian Borg's header grazed the crossbar.

Pietà forged ahead after 28 minutes when Shead finished off a fine move involving Quilin Refalo and Deanov.

Mosta went close to an equaliser on 34 minutes but Gilbert Camilleri's header, from an Agius free-kick, ended wide.

After the change of ends, Calabretta set up Steve Borg with a fine pass but the latter shot straight at Montfort. Six minutes into the second half, Camilleri sent Calabretta through on goal but the nippy Mosta forward's lob sailed over the crossbar.

Pietà doubled their lead when Mosta defender Agius misjudged a high ball by Clive Spiteri and Deanov was on hand to fire past Debono.

With 19 minutes left, Mosta should have pulled one back but Calabretta's scorcher from just inside the area rattled the post. On 79 minutes, Adrian Borg headed Steve Borg's cross into the net to revive Mosta's hopes.

But a minute later, Adrian Borg stole attention for the wrong reasons when he floored Shead in the box. Deanov made no mistake from the penalty spot to seal a precious win for the Hotspurs.

Mosta: J. Debono, M. Abela, B. Agius, A. Borg, S. Borg, G. Calabretta, G. Camilleri (R. Deguara), M. Farrugia, P. Vassallo (L. Micallef), E. Vella (C. Camenzuli), A. Saliba.

Pietà: M. Montfort, C. Sammut (K. M. Robinson), C. Spiteri, B. Sciberras, M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, Q. Refalo (R. Camilleri), S. Shead, J. L. Poulangoye, C. Cassar (K. Cassar), S. Pace.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Man of the match: Martin Deanov (Pietà).