Watch: Menacho’s first goal propels Ħamrun Spartans to top spot of Closing Round

ŻABBAR ST. PATRICK               0

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS                  1
Menacho 45

ŻABBAR ST PATRICK

L. Camilleri; J. Micallef, W. Bonilha (75 M. Barros Santos), B. Gambarte, A. Iervolino (46 S. Ilic), J. Pisani, D. Tavares, S. Jovancic, Vinicius, Joao Pedro (67 K. Keqi), D. Souza.

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello; S. Xerri, J. Mbong, E. Freitas, J. Cadenovic, R. Mihana (61 K. Amoustapha), Mayron, E. Marcelina, C. Menacho (76 R. Lopes), R. Camenzuli, M. Klepac (76 L Montebello).

Referee: Ishmael Barbara.

Yellow cards: Joao Pedro, Vinicius.

Missed penalty: Mbong (Ħ) 20.

Ħamrun Spartans secured a crucial victory over a much-improved Żabbar St Patrick side, with César Menacho netting the decisive goal.

For the Bolivia international, it marked his first club goal since joining the Spartans during the winter transfer window.

Alessandro Zinnari’s side, who had to withstand Żabbar’s second-half resurgence, now sit at the top of the standings on 11 points following their third win in the Closing Round.

Meanwhile, Żabbar suffered their third defeat, to stay on six points. However, their performance offers hope for their fight to maintain top-flight status.

Ħamrun Spartans came close to threatening Żabbar St. Patrick as Mihael Klepač rose for a header, but his effort sailed over the bar.

In the 20th minute, the Spartans were awarded a penalty after Wallace Bonilha handled Redon Mihana’s cross inside the six-yard box.

However, Joseph Mbong failed to capitalise, sending his spot-kick wide of Luca Camilleri’s goal, leaving the score locked at 0-0.

Despite the missed penalty, Ħamrun maintained control of the game but struggled to find a breakthrough.

Żabbar aimed to hit on the counter, but the match remained cagey, with frequent duels in midfield limiting clear chances.

Albanian forward Mihana came close to breaking the deadlock, meeting an Mbong cross with a header that drifted just wide of the target.

Moments later, Klepač squandered a golden opportunity, firing wide from close range after receiving a fine pass from Mihana.

Just before halftime, Bolivia international Menacho put the Spartans ahead, lobbing a Ryan Camenzuli cross over Camilleri.

At halftime, Żabbar replaced Antonio Iervolino – making his Premier League debut – with Stefan Ilić.

Meanwhile, Ħamrun introduced Kairou Amoustapha midway through the second half to strengthen their attack.

With Żabbar still looking to level terms, they put on experienced forward Kristian Keqi on the field to try and harm the Spartans.

The Saints did threaten with a Gambarte free-kick that was tipped over by Bonello while minutes later Jurgen Pisani missed a golden chance when heading straight at the Ħamrun goalkeeper at point blank.

Ħamrun came close to doubling their lead when Elionay Freitas’ header narrowly missed the target.

Żabbar pushed for a late equalizer, bringing on Sean Gatt to bolster their attack, but they couldn’t find a way past Bonello.

Late in the match, Montebello had a chance to seal the victory, but his curling effort drifted wide.