Marsaxlokk 1
Pietà Hotspurs 5
Marsaxlokk became Pietà Hotspurs’ second Premier League victims after the First Division leaders scored four goals in the second half to move into the quarter-finals of the U*Bet FA Trophy.
After disposing of Tarxien Rainbows to the tune of three goals to nil in the previous round, Edmond Lufi’s side could have even put their minds at rest in the first half. But a mixture of missed opportunities and excellent blocks by Marsaxlokk keeper Christian Cassar kept them at bay.
But on resumption, with the wind blowing behind their backs, Pietà confirmed that their young side is well complimented by the likes of Vinicius Pereira Dos Santos and Jonathan Bilbao Zarate who are a handful for most teams.
Pereira Dos Santos could have given Pietà the lead after nine minutes when he was put through by Zarate but was blocked by the onrushing Cassar.
However, Pietà took the lead on 19 minutes when Jurgen Pisani accelerated on the left flank and crossed towards the unmarked Dos Santos who hit the bar but from the rebound Adrian Farrugia blasted the ball home.
Pisani almost doubled Pietà’s lead two minutes later but headed wide from a Farrugia cross. Dos Santos again missed a free header on 33 minutes from close-range.
The Hotspurs were punished for their profligacy on 37 minutes when Jean Paul Farrugia anticipated his marker to head home from a Modesto Valeriani free-kick.
Pietà almost regained the lead a minute later when Dos Santos whizzed past two defenders but was blocked by Cassar.
Farrugia almost struck again on 43 minutes but his firm drive was palmed away by Pietà keeper Miguel Montfort.
On resumption, Marsaxlokk were the better side early on and on 47 minutes Farrugia’s header finished just wide.
However, it was Pietà who struck on 56 minutes when Dos Santos turned brilliantly to fire home from a Cleaven Cassar free-kick.
Pietà put the game to bed on 70 minutes when Zach Muscat bundled the ball home after Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Cassar failed to hold to a Dos Santos free-kick.
On 77 minutes, Marsaxlokk suffered a setback when substitute Patrick Borg was sent off after receiving a second yellow card after a foul on Dos Santos.
Three minutes later, the Brazilian was again set up by Bilbao Zarate to make it 4-1.
Matthew Agius wrapped up Pietà’s victory on 90 minutes when he fired the ball home following a Dos Santos delivery.
Marsaxlokk: C. Cassar; M. Valeriani, T. Templeman, K. Polidano, S. Cutajar (63 G. Buttigieg), L. Agius, C. Debattista (63 P. Borg), J.P. Farrugia, G. Caruana, D. Grech (85 D. Attard), N. Stoskovic.
Pietà Hotspurs: M. Montfort; C. Grech, C. Spiteri, Q. Refalo (M. Agius 85), T. Agius, Z. Muscat, V. Dos Santos, C. Cassar, J. Zarate, J. Pisani (L. Mallia 74), A. Farrugia (89 C. Cutajar).
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
Red card: Borg (M) 77.