Pietà Hotspurs 0
Naxxar Lions 0

Naxxar and Pietà cancelled each other in a goalless stalemate that did little to ease the two teams’ relegation worries.

The match was finely-poised for long passages with the Hotspurs holding the edge for much of the first half.

The Lions came back strongly after the interval but could not find a way past alert Hotspurs goalkeeper David Cassar.

In the end, both teams were forced to settle for a point that left Naxxar in eighth place on 19 points, four clear of the relegation play-off spot.

Pietà remain second bottom on 13 points and facing three crucial matches that will determine their future in the top flight.

Pietà, yesterday under the guidance of Orosco Anonam as coach Noel Coleiro began a two-match touchline ban, were without forward Luke Micallef who is out with a hamstring injury.

Micallef was replaced by Charles Newuche. Ricardo Costa, struggling with a knee injury, was only fit enough to start on the bench with young Karl Micallef filling his void in midfield.

Young Luke Pecorella started in goal for Naxxar as Julian Azzopardi was out injured in one of three changes effected by coach Jesmond Zerafa. Daren Falzon was preferred to Terence Vella who started on the bench while Demba Toure was dropped to make way for Jorge.

Both teams shared the exchanges for most of the first half with the Hotspurs almost taking the lead on 15 minutes when, from a Claudio Frances corner, Christian Grech’s header was cleared by Ryan Cassar.

Frances almost surprised Pecorella two minutes later but the Argentine’s cross-shot was palmed away by the goalkeeper.

Naxxar gradually came more into the picture and on 27 minutes they were awarded a corner from which Gilmar’s delivery was met by Ibok Edet but the ball skimmed the upright.

Two minutes later Gilmar, who is reportedly attracting interest from a host of clubs, including new champions Hibs, hit a powerful shot from outside the box but Cassar did well to turn the b all away for a corner.

The Hotspurs made their first change just after the half-hour mark when Dylan Agius replaced the injured Rafael Rodrigues.

The match remained balanced on the restart with neither side managing to gain the initiative.

On 55 minutes, Pecorella had to dive to his right to push away Gabriel’s grounder.

At the other end, Gilmar released Jorge who powered past his marker but his rising shot finished over.

The Brazilian was at it again 10 minutes later and this time Cassar was on the right spot to deviate the shot just past the upright.

From the flag-kick, Frank Temile met Gilmar’s cross but his header was neutralised by the keeper.

Naxxar were showing more urgency in their game and 17 minutes from time Jorge’s cross was deflected into the path of Falzon but his first-time effort flew over.

The Hotspurs were furious five minutes from time when they were denied what looked like a legitimate penalty after Newuche, racing to meet Karl Micallef’s pass, was upended in the box by Pecorella.

A minute from time, Pietà finished with 10 men after Grech was shown a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Gilmar.

Pietà Hotspurs
D. Cassar-7, C. Attard-6.5 (89 N. Pace Cocks), L. Fortunato-6, C. Grech, J. Pisani-6, O. Anonam-6 (65 K. Cesare-5.5), R. Rodrigues (33 D. Agius-6), Gabriel-6.5, C. Newuche-6.5, C. Frances-6, K. Micallef-6.

Naxxar Lions
L. Pecorella-6, A. Scicluna-6, I. Edet-6.5, F. Temile-5, D. Falzon-5.5 (78 T. Vella), Gilmar-6.5, R. Cassar-5.5, D. Fenech-6, A. Buhagiar-6, Jorge-5, A. Bruce-6.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Fortunato; Grech.

Red card: Grech (PH) 89.

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

Attendance: 600.

Standings