Mqabba 2
Pietà Hotspurs 3
Pietà Hotspurs turned defeat into victory as they came from two goals behind and beat relegation threatened Mqabba following a last-gasp goal from Jurgen Pisani.
It was a remarkable turnaround to a match which saw Mqabba seemingly in control but the introduction of Pisani after the interval proved decisive as the Hotspurs moved one point clear at the top of the standings.
Mqabba took the lead on 21 minutes when a Claudio Calleja first-time volley flew past a surprised Miguel Montfort, in the Pietà goal.
On 32 minutes, Montfort did well to turn away a Joseph Okonkwo’s shot. But two minutes later, the Nigerian served David Azzopardi whose fierce drive flew into the net.
Pietà were back in the game on the hour when John Anegbe blocked with his arm Pisani’s shot and from the resultant penalty Larsen Mallia made no mistake.
Pietà kept pushing forward but they had to wait till the 90th minute to draw level. Kooh Sohna was first to Mallia’s cross to head past Calleja.
There was still time for Pietà to hit the winner. Senior David released Karl Cutajar whose shot was pushed away by Calleja but from the rebound Pisani fired home.
Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, M.A. Psaila, C. Micallef, D. Bonnici, M. Bonnici, A. Caligari (J. Achokwu), C. Calleja (J. P Muscat), D. Azzopardi, J. Anegbe, J. Okonkwo.
Pieta: M. Montfort, C. Cassar, M. Borg, J. Bilbao Zarate, S. David, R. Kooh Sohna, Q. Refalo (C. Frendo), C. Grech (J. Pisani), T. Agius (K. Cutajar), L. Mallia, A. Spiteri.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Man of the match: Jurgen Pisani (Pietà).
Vittoriosa Stars 1
Gzira United 1
Gżira United put up a gallant display to hold overnight leaders Vittoriosa Stars to a 1-1 draw yesterday.
Simon Agius put up fine display wtih a string of fine saves to keep the Stars at bay.
It was Vittoriosa who dominated proceedings in the opening half.
On 34 minutes, Agius did well to tip over a Marcelo Pereira’s shot and a minute later he pushed away Siraj Arab’s shot.
The Stars forged ahead on 37 minutes when Pereira saw his header being deflected home by Gżira defender Jeffrey Chetcuti.
Gżira levelled three minutes later. Aaron Xuereb rose well to head home a Yanis Tonna free-kick.
The Stars kept pushing forward after the break with Arab again denied by Agius on 55 minutes.
Pereira almost won it on 80 minutes but headed just wide.
Vittoriosa: J.M. Vella, A. Spiteri (S. Grech), M. Perriera, G. Muir, M. Buttigieg (R. Brincat), J. Camilleri, R. Dos Santos, L. Micallef (M. Barbara), Sirja Arab, Samir Arab, L. Vella Critien .
GŻira: S. Agius, A. White, P. Grima, J. Chetcuti, A. Xuereb, A. Shennowo, J.B. Gatt, J.P. Vella (L. Camilleri), S. Ogbemuda, Y. Tonna, S. Shead (K. Grixti).
Referee: Jude Amin Utulu
Man of the match: Simon Agius (Gzira United).