Pietà Hotspurs 1
Frances 18;
Naxxar Lions 1
Buhagiar 36;

This game produced only two moments of true quality, both resulting in first-half goals, as for much of the 90 minutes these two relegation-threatened sides looked short of flair and inspiration.

With only one point separating Naxxar Lions and Pietà Hotspurs in the red zone, the two teams ought to have taken to the pitch brimming with confidence to collect the three points but the 1-1 draw suited neither side.

And the football on offer showed why the Lions and Hotspurs are in trouble.

Pietà were the more energetic side in the opening stages, taking the lead thanks to a fine strike by Claudio Frances, but they were unable to maintain their momentum.

The injury-enforced substitution of Orosco Anonam robbed them of an industrious player in the middle, creating a gap that was duly exploited by Angus Buhagiar for Naxxar’s equaliser.

The second half belonged to Naxxar with Gilmar at the heart of their revival but the Hotspurs’ defence, well-marshalled by the returning Christian Grech and Leo Fortunato, held firm.

Miguel Montfort deputised for first-choice goalkeeper David Cassar who started on the bench as he is recovering from a foot injury.

Coach Noel Coleiro had striker Charles Newuche spearheading his 4-2-3-1 formation with Frances handed probing duties.

Pablo Doffo and winger Jorge were back for Naxxar after suspension kept them out of the 3-0 loss to Valletta.

With Albert Bruce serving a one-match ban, Doffo took up screening duties in front of the back four with the combative David Fenech in support.

Up front, coach Jesmond Zerafa had Daren Falzon, Gilmar and Jorge operating behind lone striker Demba Toure.

A tight contest needed a touch of class to spring to life and that was provided by Frances on 18 minutes.

Lurking in the inside-right channel, the nippy Argentine veered infield before hitting a low strike that caught goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi by surprise.

Relentless pressing by the Pietà players was making it difficult for the Lions to bring their attacking elements into play. By contrast, the Hotspurs were exploiting the gaps between the lines.

They threatened again on 26 minutes when Luke Micallef’s cross-shot was intercepted by Andrew Scicluna but the ball came off Newuche, prompting Azzopardi to intervene to avert further damage.

Coleiro was forced to make his first substitution as Anonam had to leave the field after picking up a knock. His place in midfield was taken by Kyle Cesare.

It was not before the 35th minute that Naxxar had a glimmer of a chance when Gilmar’s long-range free-kick sailed over the bar. A minute later, Naxxar equalised.

Angus Buhagiar produced a flash of brilliance as the Lions left-back’s surging run opened up the ball-watching Hotspurs and his crisp finish from the edge of the area rolled past Montfort.

The Hotspurs, who may have been distracted by the sight of Cesare lying on the ground in the action that led to Naxxar’s goal, had a good chance to restore their lead but Newuche headed wide from Frances’s free-kick. On the brink of half-time, Newuche got on the end of another Frances cross, from a free-kick, but his central header was saved by Azzopardi.

Naxxar were the brisker side after the break. They squandered a glorious chance to nose ahead when Gilmar’s grounder was pushed away by Montfort and Toure hit wide with an open goal at his mercy.

Reprieved, Pietà began to share the exchanges but it was Naxxar who threatened again on 62 minutes. Gilmar let fly a pulverising drive that was repelled by Montfort. Vella and Toure swooped on the rebound but the former was flagged offside.

Pietà then cleared Buhagiar’s header from Doffo’s corner.

The Lions were now pummeling the Hotspurs rearguard. With 18 minutes remaining, Ibok Edet allowed Gilmar’s cut-back to reach Victor Bellia but his effort was blocked by Fortunato.

Moments later, Vella, latching on to Gilmar’s pass, raced into the box but went down under Karl Micallef’s challenge. However, the Lions’ penalty claims were turned down by the referee who signalled that the Pietà right-back had made contact with the ball.

A reckless tackle by Bellia on Jurgen Pisani had Pietà coach Coleiro calling for a red card but the Naxxar midfielder escaped with a caution.

Ricardo Costa almost punished Naxxar but his curling drive skimmed the crossbar as the game meandered to a draw.

Pietà Hotspurs
M. Montfort-6.5, K. Micallef-6, C. Grech-6.5, L. Fortunato-7, J. Pisani-6, Gabriel-5.5, L. Micallef-5 (77 D. Agius), O. Anonam-6 (28 K. Cesare-5), C.N. Newuche-4, C. Frances-6.5 (74 R. Costa), R. Rodrigues-6.5.

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-6, A. Scicluna-6, I. Edet-6, M. Del Negro-5.5, D. Toure-5, D. Falzon-5 (46 T. Vella-5.5, 89 D. Bonnici), Gilmar-7, P. Doffo-6.5, D. Fenech-6 (68 V. Bellia-5), A. Buhagiar-7, Jorge-4.

Referee: Andrè Arciola.

Yellow cards: Anonam; L. Micallef; Buhagiar; Vella; Bellia.

BOV player of the match: Gilmar (Naxxar Lions).

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