BIRKIRKARA 3-2 ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
Alexander Satariano 36, 50; Gnamien Yipke 42 (B); Luke Montebello 2 pen., Shaisen Attard 81.
Birkirkara survived an early scare as they managed to come back from a goal down to beat Ħamrun Spartans by the odd goal in five to extend their winning streak to seven matches.
A penalty put the Spartans ahead after just two minutes but the Stripes soon made their intentions clear and with a fine display managed to turn the score in their favour with two goals towards the end of the first half.
They added another early in the second half but in the final stages,
Ħamrun reduced the gap, therefore keeping the two sets of supporters, who flocked to the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday, on their toes in the dying minutes.
Ħamrun, on the other hand, suffered a second successive defeat – the third defeat in five matches – to lose further ground with the top teams.
They had two changes from the team which lost to Hibernians as Eder and Wendel Barros were preferred to Juan Corbalan and Raphael Lopes.
The Spartans were also unlucky to lose Sven Xerri and Eder injured during the first half.
Meanwhile, Stefano De Angelis named an unchanged side after the narrow win over Sliema Wanderers.
Ħamrun could not have a better start as after just 45 seconds, Chris Mba was pushed down inside the area by Agustin Sandona – referee Philip Farrugia ordered a penalty and from the penalty spot, Luke Montebello duly converted.
This goal shocked the Stripes but they soon started to push their opponents into their own half and after having an appeal for a penalty turned down by the referee, a cross shot by Leandro Lacunza from the right ended just wide on 12 minutes.
Four minutes later, Maxuell Maia failed to connect off an inviting cross by Gnamien Yipke from the left.
Maia then tested Bonello with a close-range header on 25 minutes.
Ħamrun coach Alessandro Zinnari was forced to make a first substitution after 25 minutes as Sven Xerri sustained a hand injury and had to be replaced by Mattias Ellul.
Meanwhile the pressure yielded results as Birkirkara equalised on 36 minutes.
Pablo Gaitan served Maia who controlled the ball and served Yipke inside the area. The latter returned the complement and Maia’s low shot was partially saved by Bonello with Alexander Satariano hit home from close range.
Six minutes later, the Stripes went 2-1 ahead.
Satariano challenged Roko Prsa in midfield to gain possession and advanced upfield on the left before serving Yipke who managed to slot the ball past Bonello despite Eder’s marking.
Birkirkara sealed victory five minutes in the second half. It was a great solo effort by Satariano who started a fine run in midfield, advanced upfield, running past three defenders and after entering the area, he beat goalkeeper Bonello with a rising shot which gave him no chance.
Ħamrun went close to reducing the gap on 66 minutes. Chris Ondong Mba served Ryan Camenzuli on the left and the latter’s powerful drive scraped past the post.
A long-distance freekick by Maicon just missed the target for Birkirkara on 77 minutes.
Eleven minutes from time, Ħamrun reduced the gap. Raphael Lopes tried to served Mba in midfield by the ball was deflected by Lacunza and Shaisen Attard entered the area and rounded Agustin Sandona, beating Giacomo Volpe with an angled shot from the left.
In the dying minutes, the Spartans pushed for the equaliser but the best attempt occurred five minutes in added time when Talison’s direct freekick was neutralised by Volpe.
