Connect with us

Football

Second-half substitutes propel Ħamrun Spartans to first league win

Mouad El Fanis (second right) is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring Ħamrun's second goal. Photo: Domenic Aquilina

Ħamrun Spartans kickstarted their title defence with a routine 2-0 victory over Mosta at the National Stadium.

It was a fine performance by the Malta champions, who were inspired to victory by two second-half substitutes, namely Joseph Mbong and Mouad El Fanis.

The two new entrants in the second half provided the goals that earned their team their first win of the season.

Giacomo Modica again rotated his squad, but despite the changes, they still proved too strong for Mosta.

Saliou Thioune twice came close to giving the Spartans an early lead but each time was denied by the excellent Mosta goalkeeper Udoh Akpan.

Then, just before the half-time interval, Merlin Hadzi almost grabbed a spectacular opener, but his overhead kick flashed past the upright.

On the restart, Mbong was brought on for Hadzi and the Malta international soon left his mark as after 49 minutes he picked up a short rebound and fired the ball into the net.

Mosta tried to hit back but it was the Spartans who added a second when debutant Semir Smajlagic saw his header hit the bar, and from the rebound, El Fanis was on hand to seal his team’s win.

Author

Related Topics
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

World Cup News

More in Football