Pieta’ Hotspurs joined Balzan, Melita, Birzebbuga St. Peter’s, Sirens, Swieqi United and Fgura United in the Top 8 of the BOV Challenge League as they defeated Zurrieq and Santa Lucia respectively on Saturday.
A penalty by Arthur Stelmach on 8 minutes and a brace by Owen Magro on 34 and 40 minutes enabled Pieta’ Hotspurs to beat Zurrieq 3-1 at the Sirens Stadium. Gabriel Aquilina pulled one back for Zurrieq on 58 minutes.
At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, St. Andrews defeated Santa Lucia 2-1. Michael Zuo put St. Andrews ahead on 35 minutes and Taylon doubled the score three minutes in added time. Six minutes in added time, Filip Petkovksi pulled one back for Santa Lucia.
On the other hand, Gudja United and Mgarr United shared the spoils in a goalless draw at the Centenary Stadium to kill each other’s hopes of making it to the Top 8.
A goal by Zak Grech nine minutes in the second half handed Melita a narrow win over Vittoriosa Stars at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Meanwhile, Birzebbuga St. Peter’s returned to winning ways as they defeated Zebbug Rangers 3-0 thanks to two own goals on 40 and 58 minutes and a goal by Alex Bruno four minutes in added time.
Balzan and Melita lead the way with 32 points, followed by Birzebbuga on 31, Sirens and Swieqi 26, Fgura 25, Pieta’ 24, St. Andrews 23, Mgarr and Gudja 22, Santa Lucia 18, Zurrieq 14, Vittoriosa 12, Marsa and Zebbug 8 and Mtarfa -2.
Balzan, Melita, Birzebbuga, Sirens, Swieqi, Fgura, Pieta’ and St. Andrews will play in the Top 8 while Mgarr, Gudja, Santa Lucia, Zurrieq, Vittoriosa, Marsa, Zebbug and Mtarfa will play in the Bottom 8.