Pietà scrape through in injury time
Mqabba 1Pietà Hotspurs 2 A 94th minute penalty scored by Martin Deanov gave Pietà Hotspurs a dramatic victory over Mqabba in an entertaining match that was characterised by a number of controversial referee decisions. The Hotspurs, who came into the...
Mqabba 1
Pietà Hotspurs 2
A 94th minute penalty scored by Martin Deanov gave Pietà Hotspurs a dramatic victory over Mqabba in an entertaining match that was characterised by a number of controversial referee decisions.
The Hotspurs, who came into the match needing a win to pip Dingli Swallows for promotion, thought they had done enough to clinch a quick return to the top flight with that dramatic late winner. But it was not to be, as it was Dingli who joined Vittoriosa in the Premier League after beating Rabat 4-1 in the second match.
Mqabba were the more aggressive side early on and could have taken the lead after 10 minutes when a Michael Borg Olivier header finished just over.
Minutes later, Quilin Refalo's cross-shot finished into the Mqabba net but the goal was ruled out for an offside infringement by Simon Shead.
On 23 minutes, Pietà protested heavily when a Refalo drive hit the hand of Patrick Vella, but the referee waved play on, a debatable decision. But Pietà managed to go in front on 27 minutes when Refalo slotted the ball home from a Deanov cross.
Mqabba drew level on 36 minutes when Borg Olivier headed home a Shawn Magro cross.
Pietà quickly regained the initiative and on 38 minutes Kevin Cassar just missed the target and just before the break a Refalo drive finished inches wide.
On resumption Pietà came out on the offensive and on 47 minutes Mqabba defender Borg saved his side when he cleared off the line a Bernard Sciberras effort, from the rebound Cassar looked to have scored but again Borg blocked the effort, this time with his right hand.
Despite the heavy protest from the Pietà players, no penalty was awarded.
On 57 minutes Mqabba suffered a severe blow when they had Mauro Bonnici shown a straight red card for dissent.
Three minutes later Pietà were awarded a penalty when Deanov was floored by Kris Calleja, but Shead's effort from 11-metres was saved by the Mqabba custodian.
Pietà increased their pressure and on 92 minutes Mqabba's Edric Borg handled the ball in his own area and Deanov made no mistake from the resultant penalty.
Mqabba: K. Calleja, P. Grima, J. Debattista, P. Borg, M. Bonnici, S. Magro, D. Azzopardi, M. Mifsud, C. Calleja (J. P. Muscat), M. Borg Olivier (E. Borg), M. Catania.
Pietà Hotspurs.: M. Montfort, C. Spiteri, J. Delia (G. Goodlip), B. Sciberras, M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, Q. Refalo, S. Shead, K. M. Robinson, K. Cassar (J. L. Poulangoye), S. Pace.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Man of the match: Quilin Refalo (Pietà).