Ħamrun Spartans maintain perfect start with Marsaxlokk win

ĦAMRUN S.                1        

Jonny 8

MARSAXLOKK          0

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS P. Sanchez-6, E. Domingos-6, S. Borg-6, M. Guillaumier-6, L. Montebello (67 S. Attard), E. Mashike-6, R. Callegari-6, M. Fedele-6.5 (83 S. Xerri), Jonny-6 (67 A. Soares), E. Marcelina-6.5, R. Camenzuli-6.

MARSAXLOKK J. Gobbi-6, E. Uzeh-5.5 (78 A. Effiong), A. Attard-5.5 (58 C. Borg), W. Serrano-6, E. Vella-5.5, S. Ferraris-6, L. Aguirre-6.5, S. Moracci-6 (74 D. Mifsud), W. De Sousa-6, D. Vukovic-6, T. Fonseca-6.

Referee D. Agius

Yellow Cards Jonny, E. Vella, M. Guillaumier, E. Mashike, T. Fonseca, S. Ferraris, S. Xerri, L. Aguirre

BOV Player of the Match Matteo Fedele (Ħamrun Spartans)

Ħamrun Spartans made it three wins in a row on Wednesday as they defeated Marsaxlokk 1-0 in a game from match-day 1 which had to be postponed due to the Spartans’ commitments in the UEFA Europa Conference League last month.

It was an early goal that did the job for Branko Nisevic’s side as, just like their previous game against Pieta’ Hotspurs, Ħamrun seemed content to contain their opponents rather than push for more.

For Marsaxlokk, this was another positive display after earning a point in a draw with Gżira in their last match and although this time, they remained empty-handed, these performances should fill them with courage ahead of the forthcoming games.

Marsaxlokk coach Pablo Doffo opted for four changes from their last outing, naming Edafe Uzeh, Emerson Vella, Santiago Ferraris, and Santiago Moracci in the starting line-up. Ħamrun, on the other hand, had one change as Rodrigo Callegari Torre replaced Ognjen Bjelicic.

The Spartans had a perfect start taking the lead after just 8 minutes. Matteo Fedele delivered a freekick from the left and the ball was deflected in the direction of Jonny whose powerful drive from inside the area saw the ball end in the top right corner.

Ħamrun threatened once again on 32 minutes with a direct freekick by Fedele which was parried by Jose Gobbi. Four minutes later, the Southseasiders replied with a Leandro Aguirre freekick which was blocked by the Ħamrun rear-guard and off the rebound, the former Valletta and Birkirkara defender’s effort ended just wide.

Nineteen minutes into the second half, Ħamrun goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez blocked a freekick by Santiago Ferraris from the right, Tiago Fonseca took the rebound but wasted too much time in trying to conclude and the ball was cleared into safety. Sanchez then performed a good save on a Ferraris corner from the left on 75 minutes.

However, the Spartans went close to doubling the score with an angled shot from the right by Dodo which scraped past the post with ten minutes to go.

Marsaxlokk almost notched the equaliser with a first-time effort by Alfred Effiong following a throw-in by Dejan Vukovic four minutes from time but his attempt was neutralised by Sanchez. Finally three minutes in added time, Elvis Mashike tried to surprise the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper with a shot from outside the area but his fine conclusion missed the target.