GŻIRA UNITED 1
Alves 52
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 2
Letherby 86; Marcelina 90
GŻIRA UNITED
D. Zarkov, G. Mentz, E. Pepe, A. Borg, T. Aldama, Z. Scerri, M. Dias, L. Riascos, C. Ebisindor, A. Da Paixao, T. Espindola.
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, S. Xerri, D. Letherby, R. Prsa, Elionay, G. Vella (46 J. Mbong), Mayron (80 J. Corbalan), S. Attard, E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli (80 Vitao), R. Lopes.
Referee: Philip Farrugia..
Yellow Cards: Mayron, Alves, Dias, Vella, Scerri, Ebisindor.
Ħamrun Spartans secured a spot in the 360Sports Opening Round Top 6 as they defeated Gżira United 2-1 in a most dramatic finale at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
On the eve of the game, the Maroons enjoyed a three-point lead over the Spartans and Marsaxlokk.
Ħamrun needed to win to make it to the Top 6 after taking into consideration the direct encounters while a draw would have been enough for Gżira.
Following a goalless first half, Gżira took a deserved lead early in the second half but with four minutes to go, Ħamrun levelled matters, notching the winner deep into stoppage time.
After losing to Marsaxlokk, Ħamrun coach Alessandro Zinnari opted to make two changes as Juan Corbalan and Joseph Mbong made way for Mayron and Gabriel Vella.
On the other hand, Andrew Cohen for Gżira named Andrew Borg in the starting line-up, leaving Kevin Tulimieri on the substitutes’ bench.
Twelve minutes into the game, Thaylor started one of his usual runs on the right flank for Gzira only to be pulled down just outside the area by Mayron. The Maroons appealed for a red card, but referee Philip Farrugia only cautioned the Ħamrun defender.
Three minutes later, Thiaguinho delivered a corner from the right, Elionay headed the ball in an attempt to clear the ball into safety but Henry Bonello had to come to the rescue to block the ball with Andy Borg hitting high off rebound.
The Spartans went close to taking the lead on 34 minutes. Vella’s powerful drive was blocked with particular difficulty by Zarkov and Roko Prsa’s close-range effort was blocked by Marcelo Dias.
Five minutes from the end of the first half, following an assist by Sven Xerri for Prsa, the latter’s pass was deflected by Marcelo Dias with Ryan Camenzuli gaining possession and trying his luck with a powerful shot which, however, ended high.
However, seven minutes into the second half, Gżira took the lead.
Christian Ebisindor Saint put Emerson Marcelina under pressure on the right flank, winning the ball and entering the area before serving Alex Alves who deflected the ball past goalkeeper Bonello.
This goal helped boost the Maroons’ confidence and on 63 minutes, Saint headed just wide off a corner by Thiaguinho from the right.
Five minutes later, off an inviting cross by Prsa from the right, Mayron fumbled on the ball, missing a good opportunity.
A cross shot from the left by Ebisindor was cleared into safety by Marcelina on 75 minutes and seconds later, a fierce shot by Thiaguinho ended high.
Four minutes from time, Ħamrun levelled matters. Letherby’s powerful drive was not held by Zarkov with the ball crossing the goalline despite the Gżira custodian’s desperate attempt.
Five minutes in added time, the Spartans notched the winner when off a freekick from the right, Emerson Marcelina headed the ball home to the joy of the Ħamrun supporters who flocked to the stadium.
