Guillaumier strikes late to keep Ħamrun Spartans at the top

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS   2         

Montebello 25 pen; Guillaumier 82

MOSTA            1         

Ememe 60

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS

P. Sanchez-6.5, S. Borg-6, M. Guillaumier-6.5, L. Montebello-6 (63 Dodo), V. Ribeiro-6.5 (87 S. Attard), Eder-6, O. Bjelicic-6 (70 M. Fedele), J. Corbalan-6, Jonny-6 (63 E. Mashike), E. Marcelina-6, R. Camenzuli-6.

MOSTA

I. Akpan-6, R. Briffa-6 (65 G. Sciberras), C. Ememe-6.5, D. Bonnici-6 (83 J. Nsumoh), C. Failla-6.5, B. Diarra-6.5, J. Akrong-6, G. Acheampong-6, S. Kingue, J. Vassallo-6, Z. Brincat-6.5 (83 V. Mbata).

Referee: Alex Johnson.

Yellow cards: Montbello, Ememe.

BOV Player of the Match: Christ Ememe (Mosta).

A late strike by Matthew Guillaumier enabled Ħamrun Spartans to return to winning ways, defeating Mosta by the odd goal in three.

Ħamrun, therefore, made sure of retaining sole leadership in the BOV Premier League table.

It was no easy match for the Spartans as Mosta, who were coming from an impressive 3-1 win over Valletta, were eager to repeat their fine performance.

Mosta had three changes from their previous outing as Jacob Akrong, Steve Kingue and Zachary Brincat were handed a start.

Ħamrun, on the other hand, had goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez in goal while Ederson, Luke Montebello and Vinicius De Freitas were all named in the starting line-up.

The Spartans had the first attempt at goal on 11 minutes with Ryan Camenzuli concluding a good move with a shot from outside the area ending just wide.

However, on 25 minutes, Ħamrun managed to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty after Vinicius Ribeiro was brought down inside the area by Roderick Briffa.

From the spot, Luke Montebello duly converted.

Mosta replied with a corner from the left by Briffa, on 32 minutes, which was cleared off the goal line by Ognjen Bjelicic.

Two minutes later, the Blues missed an excellent opportunity to level matters.

Ememe delivered an inviting cross from the right, Zachary Brincat failed to connect with Duane Bonnici hitting the side netting from an ideal position.

In the second half, Mosta were more aggressive in the early stages and after going close with an Ememe effort from the right which ended just wide, Zachary Brincat had an angled shot turned into a corner by Sanchez on 59 minutes.

However, Mosta were not to be denied on the hour. Clayton Failla delivered a cross from the right and Ememe sent the ball home with a firm header.

Ħamrun replied with a powerful drive by Vinicius from outside the area which was neutralised by Akpan on 62 minutes.

The Spartans kept pushing and eight minutes from time, they managed to notch the winner. Matteo Fedele delivered a corner from the right and Guillaumier flicked the ball past goalkeeper Akpan.

Four minutes in added time, Mosta went close to equalising but off a Failla freekick from the right, Steve Kingue saw his close-range header tipped brilliantly over by goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez.