Marsaxlokk shoot to the top after 3-1 win

Marsaxlokk 3
Pietà Hotspurs 1

Marsaxlokk obtained their fourth win from as many matches to go top of the league standings. They are the only team with maximum points and look destined for a quick return to the Premier League if they keep their current form.

Although Marsaxlokk's win was a merited one, Pietà gave their opponents a rough ride as they played one of their best matches so far this season.

Marsaxlokk started the game on attack even though they were somewhat clumsy in their play.

Coach Patrick Curmi had Carlo Mamo missing from the line-up and the left-back, who is attracting the interest of Qormi and Tarxien in the transfer market, was sorely felt.

Marsaxlokk also had Roderick Bajada on the substitutes bench but he came on in the second half.

After only five minutes Marsaxlokk missed a golden opportunity when Dylan Kokavessis beat the offside trap before chipping over keeper Miguel Montfort with the ball finishing just over the bar.

Marsaxlokk continued to show the better qualities but were erratic. Pietà were a well-organised outfit with Quelin Refalo and Mohammed El Jadei pressing all over the place and Bernard Sciberras and Jesmond Delia marshalling the defensive line.

On 18 minutes Kokavessis drove the ball well out of range from 10 metres out following an inviting Martin Deanov centre.

Marsaxlokk were seeing more of the ball in the initial stages but it was the Hotspurs who forged ahead on 24 minutes. And what a goal it was.

El Jadei started the move when he released Refalo whose pin-point service found Shaun Micallef on the right spot and he drove the ball home in style.

Marsaxlokk were rattled and it took them several minutes to regain composure following Micallef's goal.

Then, six minutes from half-time, Deanov did well to serve Florent Raimy and the Benin striker rose high to head home the equaliser.

Marsaxlokk upped their game and could have taken the lead just before the break but Kokavessis again shot wide from a good position following some fine work by Peter Pullicino.

Marsaxlokk looked more incisive after the interval.

Sciberras cleared off the line after Montfort fumbled a Trevor Templeman shot and on 56 minutes Bajada could have done better than hit wide from close in.

But Marsaxlokk were not to be denied and forged ahead on 58 minutes thanks to Raimy who let fly an unstoppable shot from 30 metres out to make it 2-1 for Curmi's team.

Now it was all Marsaxlokk and they put their minds at rest right on the hour. This time Kokavessis made up for some missed chances earlier in the match when he dribbled past the Hotspurs keeper before ramming the ball in.

Pietà were unable to hit back and Leighton Grech could have made the score more pronounced for Marsaxlokk but hit badly after a good move by William Camenzuli.

Marsaxlokk
G. Zammit, M. Deanov (G. Caruana), P. Pullicino, M. Licari, W. Camenzuli, C. Brincat, D. Kokavessis (M. Danilovs), E. Yanchev, L. Grech, F. Raimy, T. Templeman (R. Bajada).

Pietà
M. Montfort, S. Micallef, C. Spiteri (M. Marmara), J. Delia (M. Agius), B. Sciberras, Q. Refalo, C. Cassar, I. Grech, J. Azzopardi, S. Grech (S. Zampa), M. El Jadei.

Referee: Sammy Attard.

Man of the match: Florent Raimy (Marsaxlokk).