Ħamrun Spartans held by Sliema Wanderers as Floriana close gap at the top

SLIEMA WANDERERS 0

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 0

SLIEMA WANDERERS

R. Al Tumi, J. Borg, J. Minala, V. Plut (80 D. Kondrakov), S. Da Mata (83 E. Agius), M. Beerman, J. Arthur (90 N Frendo), G. Alcino, C. Kouao, H. Murillo, G. Acheampong.

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS

H. Bonello, S. Borg, L. Montebello, R. Prsa, E. Freitas, U. Duranovic, Ederson (70 J, Mbong), JC. Corbalan (83 Y. Nenov), E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli, Jonny (70 S. Painstil).

Referee: Ishmael Barbara.

Yellow cards: Minala, Bruno, Marcelina,

Red card: Minala (S) 63.

Ħamrun Spartans were held to a frustrating goalless draw by ten-man Sliema Wanderers to see their gap at the top cut to three points by nearest rivals Floriana.

The Spartans wasted numerous chances in the second half while Sliema goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi produced several saves to thwart Uros Duranovic.

The league leaders should have sealed three points in the second half when Sliema were reduced to ten men. But the Blues held on to remain unbeaten against Ħamrun this season.

On nine minutes, Gustavo Alcino failed to stop Duranovic in the Sliema box and was relieved when RAl Tumi blocked the Montenegrin striker’s effort.

Sliema took longer to settle, but Geoffrey Acheampong brought Paul Zammit’s side into the match.

The Ghanaian midfielder found space in the middle only to send his shot straight at Henry Bonello.

On 19 minutes, Bernardo Freire gave Bonello a stiffer examination flicking Acheampong’s cross goalward, but the Malta goalkeeper made a wonderful one-handed stop.

The Spartans were more positive after the break and Roko Prsa hit the side-netting from freekick.

Shy the hour mark, Juan Carlos Corbalan deftly chipped the ball for Duranovic who was denied by Freire’s timely intervention.

Sliema’s hopes suffered a body blow past the hour mark when Joseph Minala’s received a second booking for a challenge on Jonny and was dismissed.

Ryan Camenzuli might have snatched all three points for Ħamrun in stoppage time when he hit a rising shot that crashed against the upright.

Floriana profited from Ħamrun Spartans’ half slip-up when they made short work of Naxxar Lions and claimed a 2-0 win over Naxxar Lions.

It was an important victory for the Greens who have now bridged the gap with the Spartans to three points.

Mauro Camoranesi’s men were all over their opponents in the first half and took the lead on 17 minutes through Alexandros Koudros before Alejandro Garzia made it 2-0 just before the break.

Naxxar’s response failed to arrive and Floriana wrapped up the points on the hour mark through Willis Furtado.

NAXXAR LIONS           0

FLORIANA      3

Kouro 17l; Garzia 45

Furtado 60

NAXXAR LIONS

M. Debono, N. Micallef, F. Barbosa (67 R. Mercieca), M. Fenech (68 D. Falzon), P. Augusto, E. Farias, L. Farrugia, L. Farrugia, R. Cassar, W. Marcilio (68 G. Bonanno), Maicon (67 A.S. Azzopardi), Y. Ito.

FLORIANA

G. Kitanov, K. Reid, Matheus, D. Vella, O. Spiteri, M. Garcia, C. Zammit Lonardelli, A. Kouro, A. Garzia, G. Yameogo, W. Furtado

Referee Slobodan Petrovic.

Yellow cards: Garcia, Furtado, Marcilio, Maicon.