Hotspurs in fine mood Pietà Hotspurs 3 - 1 Rabat Ajax E. Mercieca P. Aquilina L. Azzopardi S. Poumpalov M. Grima S. Cassar K. Montanaro (M. Licari, 31"; J. Camilleri, 75") K. Farrugia (C. Mizzi, 35") D. Theuma L. Tonozliev K. Mamo Teams E. Kela K. Muscat C. Borg J. Galea Z. Yildiz M. Farrugia C. Caruana R. Asciak J. Farrugia (J. Cassar, 61") A. Mifsud R. Scerri (N.Bilocca, 76") D. Theuma (55", 80") M. Licari (72") Scorers R. Scerri (75", P) M. Grima M. Licari Booked J. Farrugia M. Farrugia Referee: M. Spiteri Newcomers Pietà registered their second win of the season and maintained their their unbeaten start to the top flight. On Sunday, Deanov deployed the same tactics used the week before against Hamrun. The Spurs studied their opponents in the first half and then struck three times in the second to send their opponents reeling to defeat. This win confirms that this season Pietà mean business and they premier division status. Rabat were pale shadows of the side that defeated Naxxar so convincingly last week. Their defence proved to be their downfall since the three goals came from defensive blunders and up front Adrian Mifsud was too isolated to be of any menace to the Spurs' defence. Pietà enjoyed ball possession in the initial part of the match and although they tried to create some pressure on the Ajax defence, Edmond Kela was hardly ever troubled. In the 24th minute, Pierre Aquilina tried to surprise Kela with a low shot but the Ajax goalie saved easily. Rabat created their first serious attempt a couple of seconds later. Michael Farrugia flicked the ball towards Roderick Asciak in the penalty area but goalie Etienne Mercieca blocked the midfielder's shot. In the 37th minute Pietà were awarded a freekick on the edge of the penalty area. It was an ideal position for Poumpalov to test the responsibility and his shot was easily saved by the Albanian. Two minutes before half time, Rabat's Joseph Borg committed a blunder when he failed to clear the ball and presented Simon Cassar with a golden opportunity in front of Kela. Amazingly, Cassar lobbed the ball over the woodwork to the relief of Rabat. At the other end, Rabat's prolific scorer Adrian Mifsud nearly increased his tally when he outstretched his leg to tap past Mercieca but Azzopardi cleared the ball off the line. Early in the second half, Rabat created their best chance through the ever present area from the right flank and thundered a low shot which rebounded off the post. The Hotspurs took the lead in the 56th minute. Yildiz headed the ball away from the penalty area and Theuma unleashed a fierce volley which stormed into the net. Two minutes later, the Ajax defence was again caught off guard and substitute Malcolm Licari nearly doubled the score. Pietà were now definitely the better team and in the 67th minute they threatened again. Licari passed a good ball towards Theuma in the penalty area and the Hotspurs' forward shot at goal with Kela partially blocking his shot and clearing the ball with his legs. From the rebound Kela was once more called into action, this time denying Cassar what seemed to be a certain goal. In the 73rd minute, Pietà dealt their opponents the lethal blow. Poumpalov ran inside the penalty area on the left flank and chipped the ball over Kela towards Mamo whose shot was partially blocked by the defence only for Licari to surprise the Albanian with a brilliant volley. Two minutes later Rabat were awarded a penalty when Azzopardi was judged to have tripped Caruana in the penalty are. It was a harsh decision but it threw Rabat a temporary life-line. Ronald Scerri calmly converted the kick to put the Ajax in contention. Rabat's joy was short lived as Pietà scored their third goal ten minutes from time. Another defensive blunder paved the way for Theuma to tap home from close range after some good work by Aquilina. This goal clearly rocked the Ajax clan since there was no time for them to recover a two goal deficit. Yet again, Rabat seem to be heading for a tough season among the elite whereas Pietà are off to a flying start with seven points from a possible nine. Source: Pierre Cassar, The Times of Malta.