Pietà cleared a difficult hurdle in the shape of Gżira United. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Pietà Hotspurs 3
Gżira United 2

Pietà Hotspurs, fresh from their victory over FA Trophy holders Hibernians in Wednesday’s fourth round of the competition, chalked up three useful points yesterday in their quest to seal one of the top two positions in the standings.

Pietà had lost their last two league matches which also cost them first position.

Gżira, also through to the FA Trophy quarter-finals, were all out to maintain their push for promotion but this defeat seriously jeopardises their chances of Premier League football next season.

The first half belonged to Pietà as they dominated the Maroons in all departments.

It was only after conceding the third goal that Gżira staged a reaction but in the end they ran out of time.

Jurgen Pisani drove the ball wide of the Gżira goal from the distance and three minutes later it was Ricardo Costa who found Raphael Kooh Sohna on the right flank. The man from Cameroon dribbled past Jamie Pace and Andrew White but his shot from an angle never troubled keeper Frederick Tabone.

Pietà opened the score on 17 minutes when Jonathan Zarate hit home following a fine move started by Kooh Sohna. He delivered the ball inside the box for Ricardo who released Zarate for him to slot the ball in.

Noel Coleiro’s side made it 2-0 a couple of minutes later with a goal from Kooh Sohna whose grounder gave Tabone no chance.

Gżira seemed down and out by the 25th minute when Andrew Spiteri hit a scorcher from to score his side’s third goal.

But, the Maroons pulled a goal back through Christian Cassar who hit low past David Cassar from just outside the box.

As the second half got underway, Gżira almost scored again. A Martin Kotyza corner seemed heading goalwards but Spiteri cleared the ball off the line.

The Hotspurs keeper did well to keep out a Cassar effort from close in but 15 minutes from time Gżira scored their second goal.

Substitute Shawn Vella was free to hit home following an inviting Steve Meilak cross inside the opponents’ box.

That set up a tense finale but it was Pieta who went close again through Jeremiah Ani.

Pietà: D. Cassar, C. Attard, O. Ano-nam, C. Grech, J. Pisani, Q. Refalo, J. Zarate, R. Costa Velludo Varella (L. Mutasi, J. Ani), K. Cesare (M. Borg), A. Spiteri, R. Kooh Sohna.

Gżira: F. Tabone, A. White (R. Deguara), R. Forace, J. Pace, Y. Tonna (S. Vella), B. Bondin, C. Cassar (S. Shead), M. Avila Perez, P. Gueye, S. Meilak, M. Kotyza.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Player of the match: Andrew Spiteri (Pieta Hotspurs).

Standings