Ten-man Marsaxlokk win in extra time
Marsaxlokk 2Sciberras 91; Bajada 102Pietà Hotspurs 0 Marsaxlokk needed extra time to reach the second round of the FA Trophy despite dominating play against Pietà at the Tedesco Stadium, yesterday. Patrick Curmi's side saw more of the ball but found...
Marsaxlokk 2
Sciberras 91; Bajada 102
Pietà Hotspurs 0
Marsaxlokk needed extra time to reach the second round of the FA Trophy despite dominating play against Pietà at the Tedesco Stadium, yesterday. Patrick Curmi's side saw more of the ball but found Miguel Montfort in the Pietà goal in fine form.
The Southseasiders paraded striker Maksims Danilovs but the Latvian's debut was one to forget following a red card after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Marsaxlokk surged forward from the word go. Roderick Bajada had his shot saved by Montfort and soon after William Camenzuli's drive from outside the box was also dealt with by the Pietà keeper.
Martin Deanov then saw his shot hitting the Pietà upright and a minute later he came face to face with Montfort, but again the latter did well to deny Marsaxlokk.
Pietà rarely ventured forward in the opening half as Marsaxlokk held the initiative at the start of the second period.
A Florent Raimy header was superbly stopped by Montfort as Camenzuli tried in vain with a shot from the distance.
Pietà had a good chance to forge ahead on 55 minutes. Muhammed El Jadei found space before beating two defenders and releasing Carl Sammut. However, the Pietà defender dallied and Marsaxlokk recovered to clear danger.
On 67 minutes, Montfort did well to halt Dylan Kokavessis's stride, following an inviting Deanov pass, and Danilovs missed a sitter before being shown a red card for a nasty foul.
Montfort's resistance was broken immediately at the start of extra-time when Gareth Sciberras beat the Pietà no.1 after another perfect Deanov service.
Marsaxlokk made the game safe on 102 minutes thanks to a Bajada piledriver that flew past Montfort.
Marsaxlokk
G. Zammit, W. Camenzuli, C. Mamo, C. Brincat, E. Yantchev, P. Pullicino (57'M. Danilovs), F. Raimy, R. Bajada, M. Deanov, G. Sciberras, D. Kokavessis (120' S. Cutajar).
Pietà Hotspurs
M. Montfort, C. Sammut (108' M. Agius), C. Spiteri (76' M. Marmara), B. Sciberras, Q. Refalo, S. Ciscaldi (71' D. Mifsud), S. Grech, K.M Robinson, C. Cassar, I. Grech, M. El Jadei.
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: Raimy, Grech, Cassar, Mamo, Marmara.
Red card: Danilovs (M) 84.