Pietà trounce St George's to move up to third

St George's 1
Pietà Hotspurs 4

Pietà Hotspurs continued to show considerable improvement yesterday when they trounced St George's 4-1 to move up to third place in the standings.

On such evidence, Pietà have to be regarded among the favourites for promotion to the Premier League after their relegation from the top flight last season.

Bulgarian forward Martin Deanov had another outstanding performance while Carl Pulo, who came on for Terence Vella early in the second half, also left a very positive impression.

Debutant Kevin Michael Robinson also showed some fine touches and striker Simon Shead, who joined the Hotspurs from Tarxien Rainbows in the close season, rounded a fine performance with a hat-trick of goals.

St George's were without goalkeeper Andrea Gatt and forward Lawrence Mizzi who have been suspended indefinitely after pleading guilty to bribery charges last week. Thomas Galea replaced Gatt in goal while Iro Curmi filled the void left by Mizzi.

Exchanges in the first half were shared, although Pietà enjoyed more possession than the Saints. However, it was St George's who opened their scoring account after only four minutes when Curmi finished off a strong run by Glenn Bonello by firing home. Joey Falzon's side continued to dictate matters and John Nwoba sprinted into the Pietà area but shot over the crossbar.

Gradually, Pietà snatched the initiative and on 14 minutes, a Silvan Ciscaldi drive from just outside the area finished just wide. Three minutes later, Clive Mizzi's side drew level when Robinson hit home following a scramble in the St George's box.

St George's began the second half in attacking mode. After five minutes, they threatened to regain the lead but Bonello's drive from just inside the area brought the best out of Miguel Montfort, the Hotspurs goalkeeper.

As happened in the opening 45 minutes, Pietà lifted their game as the second half progressed. Two minutes past the hour, Pietà were unlucky not to go ahead when Ciscaldi's effort from six metres out hit a post after he received a nodded assist from Shead.

Pietà continued to drive forward and a minute later, Ciscaldi shot against the side-netting from an acute angle and Shead's header, from a precise cross by Kevin Cassar, was turned away for a corner by Galea.

Pietà's pressure finally paid off when Shead steered the ball home from close distance after some good work by subsitute Pulo. The latter dribbled his way into the Saints' area and crossed to the unmarked Shead.

A minute later, Deanov's strike from the distance was saved by the St George's goalkeeper but 17 minutes from time, Shead sealed Pietà's win when he hammered the ball home after a fluid Pietà move.

A minute later, St George's thought they had gained a lifeline when Jean Landry Poulangoye brought Christian Grech down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Nwoba's penalty kick was blocked by Montfort who, with 10 minutes left, made a brilliant save when tipping Lee Grima's dipper over the crossbar.

Pietà had Clive Spiteri sent off in injury time for a second yellow card but despite their numerical handicap, the Hotspurs increased their lead in the dying moments.

Shead completed his hat-trick when connecting with a measured Deanov cross from the right flank.

St George's
T. Galea, A. Bonello, E. Degabriele, M. Sevasta, C. Schiavone, I. Curmi (C. Grech), J. Nwoba (T. Thomas), B. Fenech (H. Schembri), E. Amaira, G. Bonello, L. Grima.

Pietà
M. Montfort, C. Spiteri, G. Busuttil, M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, S. Shead, K. Robinson (D. Mifsud), J. Poulangoye (J. Delia), T. Vella (C. Pulo), K. Cassar, S. Pace.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Red card: Spiteri (P) 92.

Man of the match: Simon Shead (Pietà).