Pietà Hotspurs 1
St George's 6
St George's hammered Pietà in a cup tie that saw the winners imposing their superiority in the second half. Anthony Ewurum not only hit a brace but he was practically involved in the other four goals, three of which scored by Chris Ciappara.
Referee Fiodor Zammit became the third official this season to make the grade in this category.
Pietà did the early running and threatened the Saints' rearguard in search of an early goal.
After only two minutes, Carl Sammut saw his shot stopped by the Saints goalkeeper and from the rebound Quelin Refalo hit wide.
At the other end, Ewurum's centre was destined to reach the unmarked Glenn Bonello but he was foiled in the last minute by Clive Spiteri.
At the other end, the Saints' rearguard was slow to react to a quick Pietà break but Muhammed El Jadei's lob fell a whisker away from target.
St George's forged ahead on 21 minutes thanks to Ciappara who lifted the ball over Miguel Montfort to make it 1-0.
Pietà pressed forward in search of an equaliser and after Sammut was thwarted by goalkeeper Thomas Galea, El Jadei was on the right spot to hit home following a measured Refalo pass.
St George's immediately regained the lead on the restart following a superb move involving Benoir Fenech, Ciappara and Ewurum. This finished with the Nigerian slotting the ball in from routine distance.
On 55 minutes, Ewurum delivered a perfect ball to Gordon Mallia who made it 3-1 and Pietà conceded a fourth soon after when Ciappara beat the offside trap before firing past Montfort.
Ewurum's pace was too much for Pietà to handle and on 70 minutes as he raced through to reach a Bonello delivery before scoring his side's fifth goal.
Pietà were down and out and on 82 minutes Ciappara pushed the ball home to complete his hat-trick. This was the Saints' second win in Group Two.
Pietà: M. Montfort, C. Sammut (M. Agius), C. Spiteri, S. Zampa (M. Marmara), Q. Refalo, S. Ciscaldi, S. Grech, K.M. Robinson, C. Cassar (D. Mifsud), I. Grech, M. El Jadei.
St George's: T. Galea, A. Bonello, S. Sciberras, E. Sevasta, G. Mallia (D. Galea), B. Fenech (C. Schiavone), C. Ciappara, E. Amaira, N. Caruana, A. Ewrum (J. Dalli), G. Bonello.
Referee: Fiodor Zammit.
Balzan Youths 4
Vittoriosa Stars 1
Vittoriosa Stars's disappointing start to the season continued yesterday after they slumped to their third successive defeat in the Division One KO to stay bottom of Group 2. On the other hand, newly-promoted Balzan have moved up to third, level on points with Pietà Hotspurs.
The game came into life in the final 15 minutes when not only four goals were scored but Vittoriosa had a player dismissed while the floodlights also went off for several minutes.
The first goal-scoring opportunity came Vittoriosa's way on 24 minutes when Pierre Aquilina's long-range effort finished over the crossbar.
Balzan Youths responded six minutes later when Aaron Agius's shot was parried away by Alex Camilleri.
On the half hour, Vittoriosa were unlucky when Michael Borg Olivier's header hit the post.
The match remained evenly balanced after the break but on 75 minutes Balzan forged ahead when Peter Anizoba dribbled past a defender to shoot the ball home.
More woes were in store for Vittoriosa when on 83 minutes substitute Paul Camilleri fouled Anizoba, who was through on goal, and was subsequently dismissed.
From the resulting free-kick the ball hit a hand in the wall and a penalty was awarded. Here part of the floodlight system went off but still the game resumed and from the spot-kick Aaron Agius's shot was pushed onto the post by Camilleri but from the rebound Agius managed to head home. Two minutes later Vittoriosa pulled one back when Jonathan Xerri drove the ball home following a melee.
Two minutes from time David Carabott's side made it 3-1 when Anizoba was too fast for Brandon Bonnici and fired past Camilleri.
Balzan sealed the issue in stoppage time when Anizoba set up David Fenech who easily scored from 11 metres.
Balzan: F. Tabone; R. Farrugia, C. Micallef, R. Forace, S. Aquilina, B. Bondin, M. Sciortino, D. Fenech, A. Agius (C. Caruana), P. Anizoba, S. Shead.
Vittoriosa: A. Camilleri, C. Micallef, P. Aquilina (P. Camilleri), J. Camilleri (E. Vella), B. Bonnici, J. Spiteri (L. Grima), J. Xerri, J. Chetcuti, G. Inguanez, J. Felice, M.Borg Olivier.
Referee: Anton Zammit.