Pieta, Naxxar share spoils in draw

Pieta 1

Naxxar L. 1

Naxxar: Azzopardi, Scicluna, Ibok, Del Negro, Toure, Falzon (Vella 46’) (Bonnici 89’), Gilmar, Doffo, Fenech (Bellia 68’), Buhagiar, Silva

Pieta: Montfort, Micallef, Grech, Fortunato, Pisani, Da Silva, Micallef (Agius 78’), Anonam (Cesare 28’), Newuche, Frances (Costa 75’), R.Da Silva

Referee: Andre Arciola

The two teams fighting for precious points in their battle against relegation shared the points which served neither of the two.

Similar to the previous match between Floriana and Tarxien, Pieta were the better team in the first period of the match with Naxxar showing considerable improvement in the second half.

After a quiet start, Pieta took the lead on their first attempt when Claudio France past keeper Azzopardi with a low shot after a surging run from the right.

Before half time, Naxxar drew level through a nice individual run from Angus Buhagiar who after beating a few players hit home a powerful shot past keeper Montfort.

Before the break, Pieta could have regained the lead but Charles Newuche headed wide from a Frances’ free kick. 

After only two minutes into the second half, a Gilmar free kick was held by Montfort.

Naxxar threatened again past the hour mark when Montfort had to pull off another save off another effort from Gilmar.

Naxxar were piling the pressure on the blues and had a Pablo Doffo header cleared off the line.

With 18 minutes remaining, substitute Victor Bellia’s effort was blocked by Pieta’s Fortunato.

Towards the end, Ricardo Costa almost gave Pieta all three points but his effort went over.

BOV Man of the Match: Gilmar Ribeiro