Pieta win do or die clash with Zebbug

Pietà Hotspurs gave themselves a lifeline in the fight to avoid the drop when they swept aside a condemned bottom side Żebbuġ Rangers 3-1 at the National Stadium.

After a balanced  opening twenty minutes it was Pietà who surged ahead on 25 minutes when Ricardo Costa picked out Kyle Cesare at the far post and promising midfielder hit a thunderous drive into the back of the net.

The Hotspurs remained in control of the game but for all their possession they rarely created any scoring opportunities.

Instead, it was Żebbuġ who managed to draw level a minute from the break when Paltemio Barbetti’s througball released Luke Montebello  and the loaned Valletta striker hit the ball past David Cassar.

The goal gave some  the Rangers a much needed boost and a minute later Mauricio Britto almost grabbed a second but his shot drove high.

After the break, Pietà were again pushing forward and on 48 minutes Claudio Frances ran past two defenders but his deflected shot finished just over.

On 75 minutes Costa showed great footwork but was upended by Barbetti on the edge of the area.

From the resultant free-kick, Frances hit a scorching low drive that flew into the bottom corner of the net.

Pietà all but wrapped up the points ten minutes from time when from a Frances corner-kick, Leonardo Fortunato nodded the ball into the path of Gabriel who volleyed the ball home from close in.

BOV Man of the Match: Claudio Frances