Watch: Late goals enable Ħamrun Spartans to see off Marsaxlokk

MARSAXLOKK 0

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 2

El Fanis 84; Koffi 90 pen.

Ħamrun Spartans needed two late goals to see off Marsaxlokk and secure three priceless points in their bid to secure a Top Six placing at the end of the first phase of the Opening Round.

It was far from a straightforward victory for the Malta champions, who had to battle hard for the three points against a Marsaxlokk side that had their opportunities to take the lead.

But it had to be a moment of genius from Mouad El Fanis that put the Spartans on their way to victory before N’Dri Koffi added a second from a debatable penalty to push the Spartans on the 12-point mark, three clear of Marsaxlokk.

Ħamrun Spartans dominated possession for much of the opening minutes, with Marsaxlokk focused on closing all avenues and trying and hit their opponents with quick forays.

It was the Spartans who threatened after 13 minutes when Joseph Mbong’s pass was nodded by N’Dri Koffi into the path of Saliou Thioune, but the Spartans forward was denied by a fine reflex save from Christoffer Mafoumbi.

Marsaxlokk responded two minutes later with Dodo’s strike pushed away by Henry Bonello.

Two minutes later, the Ħamrun no.1 was vigilant to see Ulises Arias’s low drive finish past the upright.

Marsaxlokk remained dangerous with their quick forays, and on 33 minutes Marcelina’s control was not precise and Dodo’s volley flashed just wide.

The Spartans were becoming more erratic with the ball on their feet, and that inevitably usurped all the early momentum generated in the first part of the half.

Ħamrun endured a scare in stoppage time when, from a Mihana corner kick, Marcelina’s attempt to head away saw the ball finish just past the upright.

On the restart, Modica hauled off Raphael Compri and Daniel Letherby and roped in Merlin Hadzi and Mouad El Fasni, with Joseph Mbong moved to a more defensive role on the right wing.

Seconds into the second half, Ħamrun should have taken the lead when Thioune played in Eder, but the Brazilian was denied by the onrushing Mafoumbi.

On 57 minutes, Modica suffered a blow as Marcelina picked up a thigh injury and was replaced by Sven Xerri.

Ħamrun threatened a minute later, when Mbong’s cross was not met by Thioune from close in.

At the other end, Ajom Ajok was found unmarked inside the area by Rehana but completely missed the ball with only Bonello to beat.

Enzo Potenza, the Marsaxlokk coach, also lost a key player as Leandro Aguirre picked up an injury and was replaced by Jake Ghio.

Fourteen minutes from time, El Fanis picked Koffi inside the area, but the forward fired wide.

The game was craving for a moment of genius to break the stalemate, and that was provided by El Fanis six minutes from time.

Mbong drifted across the Marsaxlokk box and fed El Fanis, who hit a fine curling drive that flew past a stranded Mafoumbi and into the top corner of the net.

Things got worse for Marsaxlokk a minute from time when Hadzi played in Koffi who fell under the challenge of Mafoumbi, and the referee pointed to the spot, albeit TV replays showed there was no contact between the two players.

From the spot, Koffi made no mistake to seal three important points for the Spartans.