Marsaxlokk beat Ħamrun Spartans to enter Top Six race

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS              2         

Mbong 54 pen, Vella 79

MARSAXLOKK            3         

Yuri 38, 56 pen, Quitongo 63

ĦAMRUN

H. Bonello, S. Xerri, D. Letherby (61 Talison), J. Mbong, R. Prsa, Elionay, J. Corbalan, S. Attard (77 G. Vella), E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli (77 M. Ellul), R. Lopes (65 Vitao).

MARSAXLOKK

M. Drobnjak, K. Micallef, N. Muscat (90 J. Ghio), Y. Messias (74 D. Bonnici), U. Arias, J. Quitongo (90 L. Lopez), A. Aguiar (90 P. Nonato), E. Pena, L. Aguirre, N. Raden, R. Scicluna.

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards: R. Lopes, N. Raden, R. Prsa, M. Drobnjak

Red card: Elllul (Ħ) 90

Marsaxlokk revived hopes of making it to the Top Six as they defeated Ħamrun Spartans by the odd goal in five.

The Southseasiders, in fact, join the Spartans on the 11-point mark as they register a fifth consecutive positive result. Ħamrun, on the other hand, suffered a fourth consecutive defeat.

Ħamrun created the better chances in the early stages. Raphael Lopes had a rising shot ending over on seven minutes and on 14 minutes his low drive was saved by Marko Drobnjak.

The Spartans missed a good opportunity on 25 minutes when off a through pass by Emerson Marcelina, Roko Prsa advanced into the area but rather than conclude, he tried to serve Lopes but was anticipated by Drobnjak.

However, Marsaxlokk took the lead on 38 minutes in their first attempt on target. Jai Quitongo released Yuri Messias who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Seven minutes in the second half, Drobnjak turned into a corner a Prsa freekick from the right.

From the resulting corner, Mbong’s header was cleared by Aguiar but Drobnjak fouled Emerson Marcelina.

Referee Trustin Farrugia Cann ordered a penalty and Joseph Mbong made no mistake.

However, the Spartans’ joy was short-lived as two minutes later, Marsaxlokk regained the lead. Prsa handled the ball inside the area and Farrugia Cann ordered another penalty with Messias converting from the spot.

The Southseasiders extended the lead on 63 minutes. Alex Aguiar sent Jai Quitongo through with the Scottish striker anticipating Xerri and Marcelina and slotting the ball past Bonello.

Ħamrun reduced the gap on 79 minutes. Substitute Mattias Ellul delivered a fine cross from the left, the ball was deflected by Karl Micallef and substitute Gabriel Vella had a first attempt blocked by a defender before he slammed the ball past Drobnjak off the rebound.

Four minutes later, a well-taken freekick by Roko Prsa was partially saved by the Marsaxlokk custodian with Gabriel Vella hitting wide off the rebound.

Four minutes in added time, with all Ħamrun players in attack, including goalkeeper Henry Bonello, the Spartans were reduced to ten men as Mattias Ellul was sent off for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity after pulling Aguiar down as he was heading toward the empty goal.