Zebbug’s Paltemio Barbetti (centre) heads the ball clear ahead of Pieta’s Ricardo Costa, yesterday. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Pietà Hotspurs 3
Cesare 25; Frances 76; Gabriel 80;
Żebbuġ Rangers 1
Montebello 44;

Pietà Hotspurs gave their survival hopes a boost as they scored two late goals to beat fellow relegation strugglers Żebbuġ Rangers, yesterday.

It was a deserved victory for the Hotspurs, however.

They were on top for much of the match with Argentine livewire Claudio Frances and the returning Ricardo Costa running the show thanks to their constant running and excellent distribution of the ball.

In the end, the Hotspurs took home three useful points that not only lifted them to the 16-point mark but, more importantly, provided them with a timely tonic ahead of their decisive relegation clash against Qormi which will define their future in the top flight.

On the other hand, Żebbuġ are now on the brink of relegation after another poor showing.

They stay rooted to bottom place with 12 points and need to win their remaining matches against Tarxien and Qormi and hope other results go their way to avoid a quick return to Division One football.

Pietà were again under the guidance of Orosco Anonam as coach Noel Coleiro was serving suspension.

Midfielder Rafael Rodrigues, hampered by a muscle injury, was replaced by his fellow Brazilian compatriot Ricardo Costa. Kyle Cesare was handed a starting berth in midfield as Karl Micallef filled the void left by Christian Grech, who was serving a one-match ban, in the heart of Pietà defence.

Rangers effected one change from the team that lost 3-1 to Birkirkara as Luke Montebello was given the nod to lead his team’s forward line at the expense of Carlo Monti who started on the bench.

The Hotspurs looked the brighter side for much of the first half and on 17 minutes Costa released Charles Newuche whose firm drive was blocked by goalkeeper Jeffrey Zammit.

The Żebbuġ no.1, however, could do nothing on 25 minutes when Costa picked Cesare at the far post and the young midfielder hit a rasping drive that flew into the net.

The Hotspurs remained on top but for all their possession they rarely created any scoring opportunities.

Instead, it was Żebbuġ who restored equilibrium just before the break when Paltemio Barbetti’s througball put Montebello clear and he blasted his shot past David Cassar, the Pietà goalkeeper.

The goal spurred Rangers forward and Mauricio Britto almost grabbed a second but his shot flashed past the upright.

On the restart, Pietà regained the initiative. Frances moved past two defenders but his deflected shot finished just over.

Eight minutes into the second half Alfonso Greco roped in Monti for Rashid Yussuff as he looked to add more spark to his forward line. On 55 minutes, Farrugia was alert to block Montebello’s rasping drive.

Pietà continued to boss the game with Żebbuġ trying to catch their opponents on the counter-attack but with scant success.

On 76 minutes Costa showed some fine footwork but was upended by Barbetti on the edge of the area.

From the free-kick, Frances hit a scorching grounder that flew past the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net.

Pietà struck again ten minutes from time when from a Frances corner, Leonardo Fortunato nodded the ball into the path of Gabriel who volleyed home from close in.

Żebbuġ lost composure but Britto tried to revive their hopes on 85 minutes. However, his shot from the distance was pushed away by Cassar as the Hotspurs held on for a vital victory.

Pietà Hotspurs
D. Cassar-6, C. Attard-6, L. Fortunato-6.5, R. Costa-6 (90 T. Bartolo), J. Pisani-7, O. Anonam-6, K. Cesare-6 (80 D. Agius), Gabriel-6.5 (89 N. Pace Cocks), C. Newuche-6, C. Frances-7.5, K. Micallef-6.5.

Żebbuġ Rangers
J. Farrugia-5, D. Reano-6, M. Bartolo-5, T. Paris-5 (83 M. Ciantar), J. Borg-5, P. Barbetti-6, M. Muchardi-6, M. Britto-5, R. Yussuff-5 (53 C. Monti-5), L. Montebello-6, Y. Camilleri-5.

Referee: Ian McNabb (N. Ireland).

Yellow cards: Paris, Barbetti.

BOV player of the match: Claudio Frances (Pietà Hotspurs).