Marsaxlokk hammer Saints, Pietá deny Balzan

Marsaxlokk 6
San Ġwann 0

Marsaxlokk laid down another marker of their strength when they hit six past San Ġwann to make it two wins out of two in the Division One KO.

Their one-touch football was a joy to watch and after hammering Mosta 4-1in their opening match, Patrick Curmi's side confirmed that their place is with the big boys.

Marsaxlokk stormed ahead after 15 minutes when Roderick Bajada tapped the ball home after being set up by Malcolm Licari.

Marsaxlokk nearly doubled their lead on 25 minutes but Kokkavessis shot just wide. However, the former Ħamrun forward made no mistake a minute later when he tapped home Bajada's cross.

Marsaxlokk struck their third on 34 minutes when Florent Raimy headed home after some fine work from Bajada and Peter Pullicino and two minutes later Kokavessis made it 4-0 after another Bajada pass.

The floodgates were now open and Clive Brincat hit their fifth goal after firing home from close range.

With the match all but settled, Marsaxlokk opted to administer their advantage but they still added a sixth goal when Brincat headed home a Martin Deanov free-kick.

Despite their handsome lead, the southerners remained the more dangerous side and could have easily added to their tally but they were denied by the woodwork twice.

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono; G. Sciberras, M. Deanov (J.C. Vella), P. Pullicino, M. Licari, W. Camenzuli (D. Attard), C. Brincat, R. Bajada, D. Kokkavessis, E. Yanchev (C. Mamo), F.Raimy.

San Ġawnn: J.M. Vella, C. Giordmaina, M. Francica (R.Sammut), M. Caruana, N.Curmi, A. Borg, Q. Bregman, C. Gatt (V. Brincat), F. Aboulezz, R. Sell (L. Bonnett), S.Pisani.

Referee: Tristan Farrugia Cann

Balzan Youths 1
Pietá Hotspurs 1

Substitute Matthew Agius saved the day for Pietá Hotspurs when he struck late to earn his team a point.

This may seem to be rough justice on David Carabott's side as they had the lion's share of possession.

After their defeat to Mqabba, Balzan Youths looked to have enough flair to win the game with player coach David Carabott controlling things from midfield.

Simon Shead had the chance to wrap the match late in the game but in the end they were made to pay dearly for the miss as the Hotspurs struck late to force a draw.

Pietá made all the early running and after 15 minutes Quelin Refalo's shot was saved by Fredrick Tabone.

At the other end, Shead's shot was saved by Miguel Montfort.

Balzan took the lead on 53 minutes when Shead stroked the ball home after Montfort had partially blocked Anizoba's header.

Here, Pietá took control and on 65 minutes Refalo's shot from a free-kick finished wide.

A minute later Balzan could have scored a second when Shead was put through by Aaron Agius, but he shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Two minutes from time Shead was at it again but hit over with only the keeper to beat.

The Youths paid dearly for this miss as in stoppage time Tabone failed to hold on to a cross and Agius was on hand to fire the ball home.

Balzan: F. Tabone; J. Francica, D. Carabott (G. Tanti), C. Micallef, R. Forace, S. Aquilina, B. Bondin, M. Sciortino (A. Agius), I. Zammit, P. Anizoba, S. Shead (L. Gregory).

Pietá: M. Montfort; C. Sammut, C. Spiteri (M. Agius), B. Sciberras (I. Grech), S. Zampa, Q. Refalo, S. Ciscaldi, S. Grech, K.M. Robinson, C. Cassar (M. Marmara), M. El Jadei.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.