Pietà Hotspurs 0
Żejtun Corinthians 1
Żejtun Corinthians finished their league campaign with victory over Pietà Hotspurs who must rue their indifferent second-round form for their failure to last the distance in the promotion race as they still finished third in the standings.
The Corinthians played a good game and although leaving striker Kenneth Abela on the bench they were still good enough to take all points.
Żejtun coach Joey Falzon opted to play another veteran striker in place of Abela, in the form of Carmel Formosa, but the player who impressed most yesterday was Nikolay Filipov, whose never-say-die attitude helped his side in preserving their first-half lead.
Whatever the result may have been, Pietà knew that they were still going to finish in third place, and that played a part in the Hotspurs poor showing yesterday.
On their part, Żejtun, who also at one point looked within reach of promotion, must be satisfied with their final placing in their first year in Division One.
The first opportunity of the match came to Pietà in the 10th minute when a Quilin Refalo drive was partially saved by Ranier Farriugia but the Żejtun rearguard cleared the ball away.
Żejtun responded midway through the first half when Lydon Micallef drove the ball wide after a good move by Kalin Gantchev.
The Corinthians took the lead on 26 minutes when Formosa fed Ryan Cauchi who hit home from close in.
Żejtun almost doubled their lead five minutes from the break when Micallef served Edward Azzopardi who sped in the box but shot wide.
Pietà threatened early in the second half when Larsson Mallia’s drive was saved by Farrugia.
The Hotspurs continued to attack but Żejtun weathered the storm. On 79 minutes the Corinthians could have even put the game to bed when an Azzopardi free-kick hit the bar with goalkeeper Montfort beaten.
Pietà: M. Montfort, C. Spiteri (S. Micallef), E. Giaccaglia, C. Grech, Q. Refalo, T. Agius, K. Cutajar, L. Mallia, C. Cassar (I. Grech), J. Zarate, J. Pisani (K. Cesare).
Żejtun: R. Farrugia, A. Farrugia, R. Cauchi, E. Azzopardi, M. Borg, N. Filipov, K. Ganchev (J.C. Galea), S. Magro (K. Grech), C. Formosa (J. Cachia), L. Micallef, V. Camilleri.
Referee: Philip Farrugia.
Best player: Nikolay Filipov (Żejtun).