H. Bonello (82 Celio), M. Ellul, S. Xerri (46 K. Scicluna), R. Prsa, E. Freitas, J. Cadenovic, R. Mihana (20 M. Klepac), Mayron, E. Marcelina (78 O. Bjelicic), C. Menacho, R. Lopes Silva (78 G. Vella).
NAXXAR LIONS
A. Fenech, N. Micallef (64 T. Yamaguchi), B. Sane (64 R. Cassar), N. Pace Cocks, E. Bolanos, H. Coelho (46 J.P. Farrugia), H. Martins (78 Mattias Fenech), Maicon, F. Barbosa, J. Vitor (78 Matthias Fenech), Y. Ito.
Referee: Alex Johnson.
Yellow cards Pace Cocks, Prsa.
Ħamrun Spartans became the final team to book their place into the Closing Round Top Six when they brushed aside Naxxar Lions in a one-sided encounter at the Gozo Stadium.
It was a match that was dominated by the Malta champions but also the strong winds that blew on the Gozo Stadium proved decisive in the first half as the Spartans took full advantage of the conditions when scoring three times, including through their captain and goalkeeper Henry Bonello, who netted his team’s second goal with a kick from his own box.
The win lifted Ħamrun Spartans into sixth place on 17 points, level with Hibernians, however, the Malta champions earned the right to play the Top Six after winning their direct encounter against the Paolites 2-1 earlier in the season.
Goalkeeper Henry Bonello scores Ħamrun’s second goal against Naxxar Lions
On the other hand, Naxxar remained second from bottom, on ten points, level with Melita and Balzan but surely George Vella’s team must show remarkable improvement in defence if they are to avoid a bottom-two placing in the Bottom Six.
Ħamrun Spartans started well and after seven minutes Cesar Menacho sent a cross into the far post and Roko Prsa saw his header brilliantly pushed over by Naxxar goalkeeper Andre Fenech.
But from the ensuing corner kick, Prsa’s delivery took a wicked trajectory and Fenech somehow kept it out but Neil Pace Cocks, in an attempt to clear, diverted the ball into his own net.
The Spartans were forced to make their first change on 20 minutes when Mihana pulled out injured and was replaced by Mihael Klepac.
That failed to derail the Spartans who added a third goal on 24 from an unusual scorer.
Goalkeeper Henry Bonello’s long kick was pushed towards the Naxxar goal by the win and the bounce completely surprised Fenech with the ball finishing into the back of the net.
A minute later, Ħamrun almost made it 3-0 when Lopes Silva stole possession on the edge of the area and Prsa returned the ball to the Brazilian forward who was denied by the upright before Menacho’s effort was deflected to a corner.
But Fenech’s afternoon in the Naxxar goal took another bad twist as from the ensuing flag-kick, the goalkeeper was beaten Prsa’s curling cross that, aided by the strong wind, flew into the net.
Four minutes from the break, Prsa sped inside the Naxxar area before feeding Menacho but the latter’s shot was blocked.
After the break, Naxxar tried to step up the pressure on the Ħamrun defence but it was the Reds who threatened on 50 minutes when Freitas’ shot finished just wide.
Naxxar came close on 61 minutes when Yamaguchi’s cross found substitute Jean Paul Farrugia who headed over.
Five minutes later, Ħamrun came close again when Cadenovic played in Klepac but the Croatian winger was anticipated by goalkeeper Fenech.
Ħamrun added a fourth goal on 72 minutes when Maicon’s backpass was intercepted by Lopes Silva who raced clear and cooly slotted the ball past Fenech.
Leading 1-0 courtesy of Neil Pace Cocks, own goal Bonello took centre stage with a spectacular, albeit unexpected, long-range strike.
The Malta international goalkeeper collected the ball in his own box and kicked it long in a bid to find Bolivian forward Cesar Menacho.
But the ball gained significant speed by the gutsy winds blowing towards the Naxxar goal, with the ball bouncing in front of Naxxar goalkeeper Andre Fenech before finishing into the back of the net to double Ħamrun Spartans’ lead.
