The Malta Independent on Sunday
Pieta – Gżira abandoned due to heavy hailstorm
Simon Farrugia The match between Gżira and Pieta had to be abandoned two minutes from time following a heavy hail storm that hit the island on Saturday afternoon, the result stood at 1-1 with both teams resigned in playing an extra thirty minutes so that the first semi-finalist of the FA Trophy would come out.
But this was not meant to be with the following match between Mosta and Birkirkara also being postponed. The match will have to be played on another date still to be decided by the Malta Football Association starting from the 89th minute,
Gżira have lost momentum lately and are now practically out of the title race. In fact they succumbed to their first defeat of the season when they lost to Hibernians two weeks ago. Their last match was a 1-1 draw against Birkirkara.
On the other hand Pieta are in serious trouble sharing the basement spot with Qormi. The Hotspurs have lost their last eight matches but in their first round encounter they held the Maroons to a 11 draw.
To make it to this stage Gżira defeated Rabat Ajax 4-0 and Melita by a 4-2 scoreline. As for Pieta’ they qualified at the expense of Mdina Knights defeating them 4-1 and First Division outfit Żejtun Corinthians with the Hotspurs emerging 2-0 winners.
Goal mouth action in the first half were scarce with the Gżira goal being the first action. It was the 28th minute when the Maroons drew first blood. Mengolo did some good work and found Andrew Cohen who from his part after controlling well fired home.
Pieta’ had a glorious opportunity to draw level just on they stroke of half time when Paul Chimezie made his way into the area and past goalkeeper Haber only for his shot to be cleared from in front of goal by Rodolfo Soares.
Pieta drew level inside four minutes of the second half when a Jan Busuttil free kick was midjudged by Haber with his clearance hitting a defender and ending in the net.
On 71 minutes Vella came to his side’s rescue when off a Corbalan cross in came Garba whose shot was blocked by the Hotspurs custodian.
And a minute later on the other end Haber saved well on Chimezie after Gatt Baldacchino failed to clear the ball.
Rain was now pouring heavily which increased by the second and turned into hail. And in the 88th minute referee Emanuel Grech had no other option but to abandon the match since the conditions made the pitch unfit.