Melita secure stunning win over Ħamrun Spartans

MELITA         2       

Yepez 13

Borg Olivier 57 pen

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS       0

MELITA

A. Lubik, A. Simanca, M. Cachia (49 M. Debattista), J.P. Attard, Andre, A. Borg Olivier, J. Yepez (77 N. Cutajar), K. Bondin, G. Barone, C. Sanchez (85 P. Galea Testaferrata), S. Martinez (85 C. Gyamfi).

ĦAMRUN

H. Bonello, J. Mbong, Elionay (81 D. Letherby), J. Cadenovic, R. Mihana (46 K. Amoustapha), Mayron (81 S. Xerri), E. Marcelina, C. Menacho, R. Camenzuli (68 Talison), M. Klepac (46 L. Montebello), R. Lopes.

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann

Yellow cards: Marcelina, Mbong, Lopes, Yepez, Amoustapha.

Melita scored a goal in each half to stunned Closing Round leaders Ħamrun Spartans.

Melita fully deserved the win as the Spartans failed to react after conceding an early goal and even more after suffering the second early in the second half.

The Spartans now share the top spot with Floriana on 11 points while Melita join Gzira United on the eight-point mark as the latter two teams share the ninth place.

Interestingly enough, sandwiched between these four teams are six teams sharing the third place on nine points – a further proof of how balanced the Closing Round is turning out to be.

Melita coach Clive Mizzi opted for five changes from the team which lost to Sliema Wanderers as Gareth Barone, Kurt Bondin, Alan Borg Olivier, Santiago Martinez and Jesus Yepez were all named in the starting line-up.

Ħamrun, on the other hand, had Raphael Lopez, who was presented with the Lifestar Most Valuable Player Award for January before the game, back in the starting eleven.

The Spartans held the initiative in the early stages but Melita managed to take the lead on 13 minutes.

Andre delivered a cross from the left, Henry Bonello blocked the ball anticipating Camilo Sanchez but Jesus Yepez took possession and slotted past the Ħamrun custodian.

Ħamrun replied with a Raphael Lopes freekick from the left which ended just wide on 15 minutes and a minute later, Melita goalkeeper Aleksander Lubik parried another effort from the edge of the area by the Brazilian forward.

Another Raphael Lopes effort on 29 minutes was neutralised by the Melita goalkeeper.

However, three minutes from the end of the first half, Melita went close once again with Aldair Simanca heading the ball just over the bar off a cross by Santiago Martinez.

Seven minutes in the second half, Melita doubled the score.

Mayron brought Sanchez down inside the area, referee Trustin Farrugia Cann ordered a penalty and Alan Borg Olivier converted.

Mayron tried his luck with a long-distance shot which was parried by Lubik on 63 minutes and three minutes later, Elionay had a diagonal shot from the right ending just wide.

Lopes hit wide from the edge of the area on 75 minutes but in the remaining minutes, the Melita rearguard kept the opponents’ forwards under control to wrap up a stunning victory.