Jan Busuttil strike keeps Pieta in hunt for promotion

Football - BOV Div I

Marsa Pieta H 0 1

A Jan Busuttil goal just past the hour was enough for Pieta to return to winning ways and consolidate theur second position in the standings.

For the Red Blues it was yet another setback, after a very good first 20 minutes of the game. For Marsa not all is lost as they still hold a four-point lead over Melita, but they desperately needed a point yesterday.

Marsa started on a the top gear and after barely 60 seconds they went close with a Luka Mijic scorcher from the edge of the area that was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Montfort.

The same Montfort was again called in action a couple of minutes later saving low on the first post a well taken freekick by Paul Lapira.

After this initial fury from their opponents, Pieta settled down and took control of the midfield sector. On 15 minutes Pieta’s first attempt smashed against the crossbar when Jan Busuttil’s cross shot completely deceived the Marsa custodian, who however was saved by the crossbar.

On 30 minutes there was another Pieta attempt, again through Jan Busuttil, with his freekick just missing the base of the upright. In the remaining minutes both teams tried to prevail but the defences were never under real danger.

The second half started on a slow pace with Pieta again hitting the crossbar on 58 minutes when Ian Busuttil’s shot on the turn hit the crossbar. On 61 minutes Pieta broke the deadlock when Dylan Agius passed towards Jan Busuttil who finally found the back of the net from an acute angle.

Marsa tried to make a comeback in the remaining half an hour, but lacked the lucidity in the final metres with Pieta on the other hand missing a lot of good scoring opportunities in their fast breaks.

Marsa: W. Galea, E. Grech (R. Mercieca 73 min), N. Micallef, A. Caruana, V. Stanic, J. Farrugia, M. Busuttil (D. Pirotta 79 min), M. Gauci, P. Lapira, R. De Fex Marriaga (M. Platisa 66 min), L. Mijic.

Pieta H: M. Montfort, T. Bartolo, C. Degabriele, A. Mizzi (J. Ishaya Irimiya 85 min), G. Mensah, C. Gauci (N. Pace Cocks 63 min), D. Agius, A. White, C. Grech, J. Busuttil, L. Chiedozie (J.M. Artiaga 78 min).

Referee: Ishmael Barbara.