Watch: Prsa’s wonder strike hands Ħamrun Spartans crucial victory over Birkirkara

BIRKIRKARA          0

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS    1       

Prsa 68

BIRKIRKARA

G. Volpe, M. Morello, A. Sandona (45 T. Papazov), P. Mbong, A. Satariano, N. Micallef, A. Coppola, N. Cross, D. Makoma (79 K. Reid), M. Maia, G. Yipke.

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS

H. Bonello, S. Xerri, J. Mbong, R. Prsa, Elionay, J. Cadenovic (79’ Eder), O. Bjelicic, K. Amoustapha, E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli, R. Lopes.

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.

Yellow cards: Makoma, Coppola, Maia, Camenzuli, Reid, Satariano.

Red cards: Micallef (B) 64, Satariano (B) 90.

Ħamrun Spartans moved two points behind leaders Marsaxlokk as a goal by Roko Prsa mid-way through the second half handed them a narrow win over Birkirkara.

The game turned out to be a balanced affair with both sides having their fair share of scoring opportunities but in the end, Ħamrun prevailed as they took home three precious points. The Spartans now lie one point ahead of Birkirkara, Mosta and Floriana and two ahead of Sliema but Floriana and Sliema have a game in hand.

For Birkirkara, this was yet another disappointing result after the defeat to Sliema last week and to make matters worse, they ended the game in nine men after having two players sent off.

The Spartans went close to taking the lead on 12 minutes with a well-taken freekick by Prsa which was turned into a corner by goalkeeper Giacomo Volpe.

Birkirkara replied with a fine cross from the right by Donovan Makoma from which Maxuell Maia tested Henry Bonello with a header which was turned into a corner on 22 minutes.

But hardly a minute later, off a clearance by Bonello, Joseph Mbong advanced into the area but his conclusion hit the crossbar with Satariano clearing the ball into safety.

A long-distance freekick by Raphael Lopes was parried by Volpe on 28 minutes.

Ħamrun missed a good opportunity to open the score six minutes from the end of the first half when following a good run by Kairou Amoustapha, he served Raphael Lopes who failed to connect from close range.

One minute in added time, Makoma served Gnamien Yikpe on the left and the latter advanced into the area, avoiding Marcelina’s challenge but concluded wide when in front of Bonello.

Four minutes in the second half, Maia tested Henry Bonello with a header off a corner from the right by Paul Mbong.

The Stripes were reduced to ten men on 64 minutes after Neil Micallef was sent off by referee Matthew De Gabriele for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

Ħamrun made the most out of it as they managed to take the lead on 68 minutes thanks to a great freekick from the right by the inspirational Prsa which gave goalkeeper Volpe no chance.

Birkirkara replied with a corner from the left from which Coppola headed the ball down for Yikpe whose close-range effort was blocked by Bonello on 76 minutes. A cross shot by Morello from the left on 82 minutes ended just wide.

Five minutes in added time, Satariano was also sent off for Birkirkara after receiving a second yellow card for passing remarks to the referee.