Marsaxlokk back on top after Pietà win

Marsaxlokk 3
PietÀ Hotspurs 0

Marsaxlokk made the most of Vittoriosa Stars' derby loss on Saturday as they eased past Pietà Hotspurs to regain top spot.

After just two minutes, Marsaxlokk should have opened the scoring as Martin Deanov's measured pass from the back found Gary Caruana who ran clear before crossing for Malcolm Licari. The latter was unmarked but he drove wide.

On 10 minutes, Marsaxlokk were unlucky not to break the deadlock as Deanov again served Licari who lobbed Miguel Montfort but the ball came off the post and sailed into the Pietà goalkeeper's hands.

After Licari headed inches wide from a corner, Marsaxlokk hit the target on 27 minutes with an excellent goal. A neat one-two between Clive Brincat and Deanov produced an opening for Grech who slotted the ball past Montfort.

Marsaxlokk's onslaught continued. Nine minutes from half-time, Deanov sent Trevor Templeman clear but the latter was foiled by the onrushing Montfort.

After the change of ends, Pietà put some pressure on the Marsaxlokk rearguard.

Shaun Micallef raced past Brincat but his shot was partially saved by Reuben Debono. The loose ball rolled to Quelin Refalo who shot straight at Debono.

Marsaxlokk doubled their lead in the 65th minute.

A fine move involving seven players ended with Deanov heading home via the post.

The southerners continued to run the show and 10 minutes from the end, they sealed the issue. Veteran David Carabott, 41, hit home from close range following some good work by Licari.

PietÀ: M. Montfort, C. Sammut, C. Spiteri, K. Fedele, B. Sciberras, B. Perry Acton (Z. Muscat), Q. Refalo (M. Agius), M. Alabi Olalekan, C. Cassar, S. Micallef, A. Scerri (D. Mifsud).

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, M. Deanov, M. Licari, L. Grech (D. Carabott), W. Camenzuli (A. Spiteri), G. Caruana, C. Brincat (D. Attard),R. Galabov, E. Yantchev, F. Raimy, T. Templeman.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Man of the match: Martin Deanov (Marsaxlokk).

Mqabba 2
San Ġwann 2

Ten-man San Ġwann completed a dramatic recovery after scoring two goals in stoppage time to save a point in a 2-2 draw with Mqabba.

San Ġwann were the more enterprising side early on and on 26 minutes Neil Curmi miskicked after receiving from Sergio Hili but the ball fell to Steve Pisani who drove high.

Mqabba created their first notable chance on the half hour when Claudio Calleja fired a strong drive over the bar.

The start of the second half belonged to Mqabba. Vilson Caushi's effort from the edge of the area was saved by Justin Spiteri. A minute later, Martin Anastasi dribbled into the San Ġwann box but his effort was stopped by the goalkeeper.

Nine minutes into the second half, Mqabba's Shawn Magro dribbled past two defenders and came face to face with Spiteri but he hesitated before passing to Calleja who was dispossessed by Quincy Bregman.

A minute later, San Ġwann suffered a setback when referee Fyodor Zammit sent off Pisani for a second bookable offence. Mqabba forged ahead on 66 minutes thanks to Glenn Barry who had only been on the pitch for two minutes. The striker fired home from close range after Calleja's initial shot had been partially saved by Spiteri.

With 17 minutes left, Spiteri made a fine save to defy Magro.

Mqabba thought they had secured the points when, three minutes from time, Cauchi's pass sent Calleja through and the latter drove home.

San Ġwann managed to pull one back on the stroke of time when Firas Aboulezz was brought down by Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja and Lee Cumbo drilled the ball home from the penalty spot. Calleja was shown a yellow card following this incident and, minutes later, he was shown the red card for time-wasting.

Five minutes into stoppage time, Mario Caruana headed past substitute goalkeeper Kevin Ellul to leave Mqabba shell-shocked.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, P. Grima, P. Borg, M.A. Psaila, S. Magro, J.P. Muscat (O. Grech), E. Navarro (G. Barry), V. Caushi, J. Debattista, M. Anastasi (K. Ellul).

San Ġwann: J. Spiteri, Q. Bregman (J. Cutajar), M. Caruana, L. Cumbo, N. Curmi, C. Cuschieri, S. Pisani, F. Aboulezz, L. Bonnett (C. Gatt), S. Hili (R. Sammut), R. Sell.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Man of the match: Shawn Magro (Mqabba).