HIBERNIANS 1
Falcone 65
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 2
Lopes Silva 16
Montebello 54 pen.
HIBERNIANS
H. Sacco, A. Silas, K. Fraga (85 L. Caruana), J. Degabriele, B. Kristensen, D. Xuereb, F. Falcone, A. Bruno (75 A. Villela), I. Apostolos, M. Ellul (90 L. Abela), G. Fernandes Alves (85 P. Nunes Silva)
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, S. Borg, L. Montebello (70 A. Kairou), Talison (78 C. Ondong), J. Mbong, E. Freitas, J. Cadenovic, O. Bjelicic, E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli, R. Lopes Silva.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Yellow cards Xuereb, Fraga, Bruno, Freitas, Montebello, Lopes Silva, Kristensen, Mbong
Ħamrun Spartans made it two wins out of two in the Closing Round as the Malta champions scored a goal in each half to overcome the challenge of Hibernians at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
It was a hard-fought victory for the Spartans who had to fend off the spirited challenge from Hibernians to grab another important win against a direct rival for a Top 6 place.
It was a diligent performance from the Spartans who punished the Paolites’ frailties at the back.
In fact, both goals scored by the Spartans from Raphael Lopes Silva and the penalty converted by Luke Montebello came from poor defensive play for Hibs and in the end they proved decisive to hand the Reds all the the three points.
Ħamrun could not have hoped for a better start as they were handed an opener after 16 minutes of play.
Faced with high pressure from the Spartans forwards, Jurgen Degabriele’s backpass was intercepted by Joseph Mbong, who quickly found Raphael Lopes Silva in space. The Brazilian found little difficulty firing past goalkeeper Hugo Sacco. TV replays showed the Brazilian was in an offside position, but the goal stood.
Rattled by this goal Hibernians tried to force a reaction but they struggled to break down a very organised Ħamrun Spartans side who were hurting their opponents with their high pressure, with the result that they rarely created any danger to Henry Bonello in the Spartans’ goal.
On 29 minutes, Talison latched onto a throughball but his low drive was saved by Sacco.
At the other end, Hibs debutant Ilias Apostolos sent a fine cross towards Federico Falcone but the Argentine headed wide.
Nine minutes from the break, Ryan Camenzuli unleashed a powerful drive from outside the area that just flashed past the upright.
On 42 minutes, Ħamrun were awarded a central free-kick and Talison’s shot was brilliantly pushed away by Sacco.
A minute later, Sacco was again called into action to keep out Lopes Silva’s header.
Ħamrun added a second goal eight minutes into the second half when Talison was brought down inside the area by goalkeeper Sacco and from the spot Luke Montebello made no mistake.
Hibernians refused to throw in the towel and reopened the match on 65 minutes.
Jurgen Degabriele sent a fine cross towards Falcone who stabbed the ball home from close in.
Nineteen minutes from time, Ħamrun came agonisingly close to restoring their two-goal lead when Talison played Lopes Silva through but his shot came off the upright before the Paolites cleared.
Hibs stepped up the pressure and two minutes from time substitute Pedro Nunes Silva hit a thumping drive that was tipped over by Bonello.
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