Ħamrun Spartans hit five past Swieqi United to coast through in FA Trophy

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS          5         

Talison 31; Lopes 48, 84

Amoustapha 64, Mbong 76

SWIEQI UNITED         0

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS

Celio, M. Ellul (77 R. Camenzuli), S. Borg (46 S. Xerri), D. Letherby (46 Elionay), Talison (46 L. Montebello), J. Mbong, J. Cadenovic, O. Bjelicic, K. Amoustapha (65 Eder), Mayron, R. Lopes.

SWIEQI

J. Debattista, J. Morales, D. Abela, L. Mattocks, P. Fenech, A. Caseres (46’ T. Vella), A. Schembri Wismayer, J. Mallia (72 D. Agius), J. Vella (72’ K. Muscat), B. Bravo (79’ J. Scerri), M. Micallef (65’ S. Shaw).

Referee: Daniel Casha

Ħamrun Spartans qualified for the Round of 16 after defeating Swieqi United 5-0 where they would be facing the winners of the clash between Lija Athletic and Żabbar St Patrick.

The game was not that easy as it may seem especially during the first half but once the Spartans scored the second goal early in the second half, it was all over for Swieqi.

Swieqi gave a good account of themselves during the first half, trying to play their game and making it difficult for their opponents to penetrate. However, in the second half, they were constantly on the receiving end.

The Spartans had Niger forward Kairou Amoustapha making his debut as coach Alessandro Zinnari opted to start with Henry Bonello, Ryan Camenzuli, Elionay and Luke Montebello on the bench.

 Swieqi, on the other hand, had new recruit, Terence Vella, included as a substitute in the beginning of the second half as he replaced the injured Augusto Rene Caseres.

Ħamrun Spartans managed to break the deadlock on 31 minutes. Jovan Cadenovic sent Talison through on the right and the latter beat goalkeeper Jean Claude Debattista with a diagonal shot from inside the area.

Six minutes later, Cadenovic delivered a cross from the left, there was a short clearance by a defender and Daniel Letherby had a low shot from edge of the area just wide

The Spartans doubled the score three minutes in the second half. Jovan Cadenovic sent Raphael Lopes through and the latter lobbed the ball over Debattista.

Cadenovic went close for Ħamrun with a freekick from the left which was followed by a fine save by Debattista.

Swieqi replied with a good move by Blessing Brafo, concluded with a shot from outside the area which was neutralised by Celio on 55 minutes. 

One minute later, the Ghanian forward had a powerful shot from outside the area ending just wide.

Ħamrun extended the lead on 64 minutes. Kairou Amoustapha concluded a good move on the right by rounding two players and slotting the ball past Debattista.

Twelve minutes later, the Spartans scored a fourth goal. Luke Montebello served Joseph Mbong on the right and the latter anticipated Debattista and chested the ball into the net.

Six minutes from time, Raphael Lopes made it 5-0, slotting the ball past the Swieqi custodian following a good run and a perfect assist by substitute Ryan Camenzuli from the left.