SLIEMA WANDERERS 1
Murilo 20 pen
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 0
SLIEMA WANDERERS
K. Agu, J. Borg, V. Plut ( 88 Serginho), M. Beerman, G. Alcino, Wescley, C. Attard, H. Murilo, S. Zibo, S. Pisani (66 N. Frendo), A. Awad (78 A. Magri Overend).
HAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, S. Xerri, L. Montebello (29 Wendel 51) (J.C. Corbalan), C. Ondong (49 R. Lopes), J. Mbong, R. Prsa, E. Freitas, Mayron (46 Talison), S. Attard, E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli.
Referee: Ishmael Barbara.
Yellow cards: Plut, Agu, Murillo.
Sliema Wanderers players left the Tony Bezzina Stadium with a smile on their face after defeating Ħamrun Spartans 1-0 as the champions were made to pay the penalty.
Sliema skipper Henrique Murillo took just 20 minutes to decide the outcome. But the solitary goal hardly tells the story of this remarkable match.
Sliding 11 points adrift of leaders Birkirkara, Ħamrun failed to recover from that early setback as they endured a depressing run of three defeats which is compromising their hopes of a top six finish.
Yet this was not the only note of disappointment for Ħamrun as they saw three of their players limping off with muscle injuries. With Steve Borg, Eder, and Vitao already sidelined, the last thing the Spartans needed were more injuries.
The return of Brazilian defender Emerson Marcelina, included in the starting XI for the first time, was a boost for the Spartans as the lanky centre-half was sorely missed in this difficult start to the season. Shaisen Attard was given the nod ahead of Wendel.
Steven Pisani for Serginho was the only change in Sliema’s formation from the team that beat Żabbar St Patrick 2-0.
But the Spartans were given an uphill task after just 18 minutes, Mohamed Awad exquisite pass turning the game in favour of the Sliema outfit.
The player from New Zealand put Myles Beerman through on goal and he went down under contact with Elionay Freitas. Referee Ishmael Barbara pointed to the penalty spot. Sliema defender Murilo confidently put the penalty away.
Alessandro Zinnari was forced into his first substitution shy the half hour mark, after Luke Montebello was replaced by Wendel.
Yet, Attard was a thorn in the Sliema defence and the youngster looked threatening on 35 minutes when Chris Ondong headed the winger’s outswinging cross into the path of Ryan Camenzuli who saw his shot cleared off the line by Cain Attard.
The start of the second start was sensational for the wrong reasons as Zinnari cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines watching increaduously first Ondong limping off with a pulled hamstring and few minutes later substitute Wendel forced off with a similar muscle injury.
Eventually the Spartans remembered they are the reigning champions and they were playing infront of their vociferous fans.
On the hour mark, the promising Attard found himself in plenty of space by Sliema. An excellent through ball from the winger set Mbong free to weave past the onrushing Sliema goalkeeper but he could only dragged his effort onto the sidenetting.
Three minutes later, a powerful shot from Talison was saved by Kelvin Agu, who displayed safe hands again to deny Ħamrun.
