ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 2
Lopes 63
Montebello 81
SLIEMA WANDERERS 0
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, S. Borg, D. Letherby, L. Montebello, Talison (90 Talison), J. Mbong, E. Freitas, Mayron, E. Marcelina (83 K. Scicluna), E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli, R. Lopes Silva (90 M. Ellul).
SLIEMA WANDERERS.
K. Agu, J. Borg, A. Magri Overend (N. Strickland), V. Plut, M. Beerman, G. Alcino, Wescley (60 M. Awad), H. Murillo, G. Acheampong, S. Zibo, S. Pisani (85 N. Frendo).
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.
Yellow cards: Mbong, Murillo, Lopes Silva.
Red card: Murillo (S) 79.
Ħamrun Spartans’s revival continued yesterday as the Malta champions scored two second-half goals to overcome the challenge of Sliema Wanderers and secure the Super Cup for a second successive season.
Goals from Raphael Lopes Silva and Luke Montebello proved decisive for the Spartans who produced another clinical performance to overcome the challenge of the Wanderers.
It was far from a straightforward victory for the Reds who were forced to soak up the pressure of the Wanderers for much of the first half.
But after the break, the Spartans started to be more offensive in their play and inspired by the continuous running of Talison, Lopes Silva and Montebello they punished the Blues with two well-taken goal to ensure they won the honour for the seventh time.
For Sliema, this was a disappointing outcome to a match that they looked to control in the opening 45 minutes but failed to take their chances that came their way and were punished by their more clinical opponents.
Ħamrun Spartans coach Alessandro Zinnari was boosted by the news that key defender Emerson Marcelina and striker Luke Montebello both declared themselves fit for the match after they had limped out injured against Floriana last weekend.
Marcelina partnered Steve Borg and Mayron in a three-man defence while Montebello played in support of Raphael Lopes Silva.
Sliema created the first semblance of an opportunity on 17 minutes when Vito Plut nodded the ball into the path of Steve Pisani who fired over.
At the other end, Mayron fed Montebello on the edge of the area but the Malta forward fired over.
The first shot on target came from Sliema on 24 minutes when Jean Borg’s cross finished into the path of Jonatvan Magri Overend whose thumping drive was kept out by Henry Bonello.
Ħamrun responded on the half hour mark when Ryan Camenzuli cut towards the inside before hitting a fierce drive that forced Kelvin Agu to produce a fine save.
On 34 minutes, Plut was again found in space and the Slovenian served Magri Overend who saw his low shot turned to a corner by Bonello.
Two minutes from half-time, the Sliema defence failed to clear a Talison corner, the ball again fell to the Brazilian who sent another cross and this time Raphael Lopes Silva’s shot was saved by Agu.
Ħamrun improved after the break and on 53 minutes, Talison put Lopes Silva clear and the Brazilian’s shot just missed the upright.
Ħamrun took the lead on 63 minutes and all the merit should go to Montebello. The lanky forward powered his way past two opponents before serving Lopes Silva. The Brazilian outsmarted Murillo before firing past Agu.
Talison could have made it 2-0 two minutes later when the Brazilian was again put clear by Montebello but was blocked by Jean Borg as he was about to shoot.
At the other end, Mohammed Awad, who had just replaced Wescley, saw his volley finish just wide.
On 70 minutes, the Spartans won a free-kick and Camenzuli’s inswinger was turned to a corner by Agu.
Sliema suffered a blow on 79 minutes when they finished with ten men as defender Henrique Murillo was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Lopes Silva and was dismissed.
Ħamrun Spartans soon made their numerical advantage count as from the resultant free-kick, Tata picked Lopes Silva whose angled drive was palmed away by Agu into the path of Montebello who fired into an empty net.
Three minutes from time, Montebello almost struck again as his angled drive hit the sidenetting after some fine work from Joseph Mbong.
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