Pietà, Naxxar share spoils in draw

Pietà Hotspurs and Naxxar Lions earned a point each as they shared the spoils in a clash between two teams fighting against relegation.

The Hotspurs are now second from bottom on thirteen points, one ahead of bottom-placed Zebbug Rangers while Naxxar are fifth from bottom on nineteen points, two ahead of Tarxien and four ahead of Qormi.

The two teams shared the exchanges for long stretches but the Hotspurs had the best scoring opportunity in the first half when off a cross by Claudio Frances, Christian Grech’s header was cleared off the goal line by Ryan Gilmour Cassar.

On the 67th, David Cassar performed a good save on the goal line on a Frank Temile header following a corner by Gilmar from the left.

Four minutes from time, the Hotspurs appealed for a penalty when Charles Newuche was challenged inside the area by goalkeeper Luke Pecorella but referee Esther Azzopardi waved play on.

Pietà were reduced to ten men on the 90th after Christian Grech received a second yellow card.

PIETÀ David Cassar, Cain Attard (89′ Neil Pace Cocks), Leonardo Fortunato dos Santos, Christian Grech, Jurgen Pisani, Orosco Nbubisi Anonam (66′ Kyle Cesare), Rafael Rodrigues da Silva (34′ Dylon Agius), Joao Gabriel da Silva, Charles Nnaemeka Newuche, Claudio Daniel Frances, Karl Micallef.
Subs not used: Miguel Montfort, Ricardo Costa, Ayrton Mizzi, Christian Stewart, Christian Degabriele.
Asst. Coach: Orosco Anonam

NAXXAR Luke Pecorella, Andrew Scicluna, Emmanuel Ibok Edet, Frank Temile, Daren Falzon (79′ Terence Vella), Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, David Fenech, Angus Buhagiar, Jorge Santos Silva, Albert Bruce.
Subs: Slaven Micallef, Victor Bellia, Mattia del Negro, Duane Bonnici, Jurgen Debono, Pablo Doffo.
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

Referee: Esther Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Thomas Debono, David Castillo
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri
Yellow cards: Leo Fortunato, Agius, Grech
Red Cards: 90′ Christian Grech
BOV Player of the Match: Gilmar da SIlva Riberio
Attendence: 600