Pietà Hotspurs’ Ricardo Costa (left) is challenged by Anderson Ribeiro.Pietà Hotspurs 4
Żebbuġ Rangers 0
Leaders Pietà Hotspurs underlined their superiority in Division One when they brushed aside nearest rivals Żebbuġ Rangers 4-0 at the Centenary Stadium, yesterday.
This was an impressive display from Noel Coleiro’s team who were inspired by the lively performances of defender Chris Grech, midfielder Ricardo Costa and striker Raphael Kooh Sohna.
Kooh Sohna almost put the Hotspurs ahead early on when he was released by Quelin Refalo but he shot straight into the hands of Rangers goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.
Żebbuġ hit back with a Douglas Da Silva Silveira’s drive that finished inches wide.
On 11 minutes Ratko Mandic just missed the Pietà goal from an Alan Tabone free-kick and Farrugia denied the Hotspurs on 28 minutes when he pushed away Grech’s rising shot.
The Hotspurs took the lead eight minutes from half-time when Cain Attard headed home from a Terrence Agius corner.
Żebbuġ were rattled and conceded again three minutes later. Kooh Sohna latched on to a Zarate ball before hitting past Farrugia.
With Rangers unable to lift their game, the Hotspurs added a third goal soon after the restart when substitute Kyle Cesare beat the offside trap before slotting his shot into the net.
On 66 minutes, Camilleri’s header was pushed over by Pietà goalkeeper David Cassar.
Then, with 14 minutes left, Ricardo Costa was freed by Cesare and planted his shot into the back of the net from close range to make it 4-0.
Late on, Cassar denied Rangers from a consolation goal after pulling off a fine save from Yessous Camilleri whose header from a corner looked destined to hit the back of the net.
Pietà Hotspurs: D. Cassar, C. Cassar, M. Borg, C. Grech, J. Pisani, J. Zarate, Q. Refalo (K. Cesare), C. Attard (C. Frendo), T. Agius, R. Costa (L. Mutasi), R. Kooh Sohna.
Żebbuġ Rangers: J. Farrugia, Y. Camilleri, L. Galea, R. Mandic, K. Scicluna (M. Gauci), M. Farrugia, C. Gauci (B. Chetcuti), A. Tabone, O, Rababah, D. Da Silva Silveira (M. Rodriguez Britto), A.M. Ribeiro.
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
Man of the match: Christian Grech (Pietà Hotspurs).
St Andrew’s 3
Gzira United 2
St Andrew’s strengthened their third position in the table after beating Gżira in an entertaining encounter.
The Maroons had a Cassar free-kick saved by Galea who started in goal ahead of the regular Matthew Towns.
Emiliano Lattes was close for the Saints with a header before they forged ahead on 25 minutes when from a corner Andrew Tabone was on the right spot to score.
Avila Perez headed against the post from a free-kick but Gżira drew level soon after when Martin Kotyza volleyed home past the stranded Galea.
The lively pace was maintained after the break and on 63 minutes St Andrew’s put their noses in front again when an Andrew Amato shot gave Tabone no chance.
Gżira fought back and drew level thanks to a goal from substitute Shawn Vella but as the game looked destined for a draw up came Trayo Grozev to bang in the winner for the Saints.
St Andrew’s: J. Galea (M. Towns), N. Chetcuti, K. Risholt (M. Johnson), B. Diacono, A. Amato, B. Said, J. Farrugia, M. Guillaumier, N. Bradshaw (N. Vella Petroni), E. Lattes, T. Grozev.
Gżira: F. Tabone, R. Deguara, S. Meilak, A. White, J. Camilleri (R. Forace), J. Chetcuti, Y. Tonna (S. Bonello), B. Bondin, M. Avila Perez, M. Kotyza, C. Cassar (S. Vella).
Referee: Matthew Degabriele.
Man of the match: Emiliano Lattes (St Andrew’s).