Pietà ease through to next round

PietÀ Hotspurs 4
Lija Athletic 1

Following the drubbing at the hands of Sliema, Pietà were taking no chances for this match as coach Ray Farrugia paraded his best possible formation minus the injured Malcolm Licari. Pietà were also buoyed by the return of Massimo Schembri in the starting line-up.

The result should please Farrugia even if his side never did set any houses on fire. Rumours within their clan yesterday hinted that the ambitious club could engage a Turk who is currently playing in Cyprus in January while they are still trying to lure veteran ace Carmel Busuttil to come out of retirement and play for them for the rest of the season.

On the other hand, Lija are passing through a bleak patch. Following their demotion last season, the Reds are now languishing at the bottom of the first division without even one win to their credit.

Injuries have certainly taken their toll on Mario Calleja's side and yesterday they were missing five regulars. Alex Muscat is currently on international duty with the U-19 national side in Cyprus whereas Andrea Zammit Tabona, Glenn Vassallo and twins Michael and Nicky Gatt are all victims of long-term injuries. This shortage of senior squad members led Calleja to promote a handful of youngsters from the minor team to the subs' bench.

The first division strugglers nearly stunned Pietà early on. Valenzia sliced the ball towards the penalty area but failed to effect the simplest of tap-ins which would surely have had the better of Darmanin.

Farrugia must have been fearing the worse as Lija were the better side in the opening stages and Darmanin was stretched to his limits tipping Valenzia's free-kick over the bar.

Midway through the half, the Hotspurs went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, but Pace's free-kick skimmed the post. Five minutes later, Calleja pulled off a point blank save to deny Pace yet again.

Just after the half hour, Pietà took the lead thanks to a freak goal.

Jurilj lofted the ball inside Calleja's box and Okeke made the deadly mistake of anticipating his colleague, paving the way for Woods to rifle home from close range.

Fourteen minutes into the second half, Pietà tightened their grip on qualification.

Debono breezed past the Reds' rearguard and slotted the ball towards the unmarked Pace who completed the formalities.

On 72 minutes, the rout was completed. Galea's pace, on the right flank, was too much for the Lija defenders who were left chasing shadows as the Pietà man crossed the ball to the far post for Pace to hammer mercilessly into the net.

Moments later, the Lija clan held its breath as goalie Calleja rushed out of his goal and floored Pace outside the penalty area as the Pietà striker was within an open view of goal.

Luckily for Lija, the referee saw nothing wrong and waved play on.

Lija did manage a consolation goal. Barry shielded the ball and fed the surging Desira who beat the Pietà offside trap and scored with a low shot.

Deep into stoppage time, Pietà notched their fourth goal.

Jurilj rounded a helpless Calleja, walked to the goal line and opted to go down on his knees and cheekily headed the now stationary ball beyond the goal line.

It was the final move of an otherwise low-key match that exposed the divide between the top flight and the next lower echelon of local football.

Pieta: S. Darmanin, M. Jurilj, D. Okonkwo (L. Lombardi), G. Sciberras, I. Woods, A. Galea, D. Cummings (A. Spiteri), K. Mamo, A. Debono, J. Pace (P. Aquilina), M. Schembri.

Lija: K. Calleja, D. Okeke, E. Azzopardi, A. Ellul (T. Ellis), G. Lanzon, M. Valenzia, J.P. Desira, A. Decesare, G. Barry, B. Spiteri, M. Ellul (R. Mifsud).

Referee: A. Casha.

Scorers: Woods 33rd; Pace 59th, 72nd; Desira 80th, Jurilj 90th.