Pietà Hotspurs 0
Rabat Ajax 1
Gauci 90 pen;
With the score still goalless as thisdrab encounter between Rabat Ajax and Pietà Hotspurs entered stoppage time, extra-time seemed inevitable but the game served up a late, unexpected twist as the Magpies snatched a late winner from a penalty.
Until then, it was Pietà who looked more likely to score but their failure to translate their marginal supremacy into a goal came back to haunt them as Rabat, who had been organised but largely uninspiring, had the final say to book their place in today’s fourth-round FA Trophy draw.
Striker Adam Smeir, who is recovering from a long-term injury, was the notable absentee for Rabat.
Given their relegation troubles, Rabat will probably have relished the prospect of meeting weaker opposition, on paper at least, in the shape of Division One side Pietà in the hope of gaining that elusive first victory after failing to win in their opening 13 league matches.
On the other hand, the Hotspurs, fourth in Division One and widely tipped to challenge for promotion, had good reason to be optimistic about their chances of beating the bottom side in the top flight.
But, for much of the opening half-hour, neither side justified their aspirations as, bar a thunderbolt from Raphael Kooh Sohna, Pietà’s Cameroonian striker, that missed the target after seven minutes, there was little of significant footballing note.
Kooh Sohna was one of the few players who seemed capable of infusing a tad of excitement into the game. Just past the half-hour, the Pietà forward drifted into the Rabat box from the right but his shot was stopped by Sean Mintoff, the Rabat goalkeeper.
This was the cue for Rabat to move forward with greater urgency. David Azzopardi swung in a good cross from the left and Joseph Caruana’s central header was saved by Miguel Montfort, the Hotspurs goalkeeper.
Moments later, Justin Felice fired a rising shot that skimmed the crossbar.
This sudden flurry of chances helped to liven up proceedings. Jonathan Bilbao Zarate should have put the Hotspurs ahead but hit wide after being set up by Larson Mallia.
Sooh Kohna, picking up a loose ball in the final third, advanced menacingly towards goal but his drive was blocked by Clive Brincat. The ball rolled to Cleaven Frendo who summoned a piledriver that drew a fine tipping save from Mintoff.
The exchanges at the start of the second half remained balanced. Cleaven Cassar, the Pietà captain, made a good overlap on the right before serving Kooh Sohna who turned well but his effort was repelled by Dylan Falzon.
Kooh Sohna remained Pietà’s most dangerous player. Released by Zarate, the Cameroonian darted into the box but his shot was saved by Mintoff.
With 17 minutes remaining, Kooh Sohna should have scored as he came one-on-one with Mintoff but he hammered wide.
But, by and large, the game remained dull, reflecting the distinct lack of enthusiasm in the virtually deserted stands.
Eleven minutes from time, Pietà wasted a good chance when Mintoff, the Rabat goalkeeper, fumbled the ball as he dived at the feet of Kooh Sohna who flicked the ball to Cassar but the latter was crowded out as he tried to shoot.
Pietà threatened again when Kooh Sohna, latching onto a Frendo through-ball, sprinted into the box from the right and passed to Jurgen Pisani but the latter’s far-post effort was repelled by a Rabat defender.
As everyone inside the National Stadium expected the game to go into extra-time, Rabat scored.
They were awarded a penalty for a handball by Ismael Grech, who was sent off as he had already been booked, and Clifford Gauci sent Montfort the wrong way to hand Rabat an unlikely win.
Pietà Hotspurs
M. Montfort, C. Spiteri, H. Madsen, C. Grech, R.A. Kooh Sohna, C. Frendo, L. Mallia, C. Cassar, J. Zarate, I. Grech, J. Pisani.
Rabat Ajax
S. Mintoff, I. Carapic, J. Caruana, J. Felice, M. Fuster, D. Falzon, P. Borg, C. Brincat (75 G. Gesualdi), Y. Cauchi, D. Azzopardi, C. Gauci.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow cards: Grech; Caruana; Cassar.
Red card: Grech (P) 90.