Watch: Clinical Spartans beat Floriana to set up Jubilee Cup quarter-final showdown with Valletta

Ħamrun Spartans scored a goal in each half to see off Floriana and book their place in the quarter-finals of the Jubilee Cup to set up a showdown with Valletta.

The Malta champions had to battle hard for their win as they had to contend with a spirited Floriana side, who gave everything they had to overcome the Spartans.

But in the end, two defensive mishaps came back to haunt the Greens as they regaled both goals to their opponents, which enabled them to progress to the next round.

The match was not short of controversy with the Greens feeling hard done 20 minutes from time when goalkeeper Henry Bonello was only booked for a rash challenge on Mattia Veselji.

But in the end, the Spartans proved too clinical for their opponents to stay on course lift this one-off competition.

Incidentally, this was Ħamrun’s second win at the expense of Floriana after they had defeated them 3-1 in the YoHealth Malta Premier a fortnight ago.

Ħamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica made seven changes from the team that lost to Samsunspor 3-0 in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday as Nikolai Micallef, Sven Xerri, Merlin Hadzi, Domantas Simkus, Eder and Shaisen Attard were all drafted in the starting formation.

Floriana, on their part, gave the nod to goalkeeper Pablo Martin Picon to make a rare start while Manuel Areias led their forward line.

Ħamrun Spartans should have had the perfect start as with less than a minute played, Matias Garcia sent Semar Smajlagic clear but the Bosnian shot straight into the hands of Picon.

As the minutes passed, Floriana started to grow into this game as they were not letting the Spartans to dictate the game. In fact, it was the Greens who were enjoying the majority of possession but they still found it difficult to threaten Henry Bonello, in the Spartans’ goal.

The only real semblance of opportunity for the Greens came on 18 minutes when Jake Grech’s delivery caused apprehension in the Ħamrun area before the red-shirted players cleared.

When it looked like Floriana were in control, it was the Spartans who took the lead on 28 minutes.

Garcia picked Hadzi on the right flank, and his cross was deflected by Lucas Lopez past goalkeeper Picon.

Five minutes later, the Spartans came close to double their lead when Eder intercepted a pass from the Floriana defence and immediately fed Smajlagic who saw his shot hit the upright with Picon beaten.

On 36 minutes, Eder dispossessed Owen Spiteri inside the area, and the Brazilian fell under the challenge of the Floriana defender, and the referee waved play on.

Floriana immediately went into an attacking transition with Jake Grech finding Mattias Veselji, who turned past his marker but his shot was brilliantly saved by Bonello.

Two minutes from the break, Ħamrun came close again when Nikoai Micallef’s cross found Hadzi, who was denied by Picon.

The Floriana goalkeeper made an even better save in stoppage time when he dived full stretch to keep out the ball following Smajlagic’s header.

After the break, Ħamrun started to hold more control, and on the hour mark, Matias Garcia was unlucky to see his shot flash past the upright.

 Twenty minutes from time, Henry Bonello charged out of his goal to intercept Veselji, who was racing through with referee Philip Farrugia showing the yellow card to the Ħamrun goalkeeper, much to the chagrin of the Floriana clan.

Twelve minutes from time, Floriana almost equalised when Areias’ cross found Owen Spiteri who anticipated Bonello but his header finished over.

Floriana stepped up the pressure but it was Ħamrun who doubled their lead when Mabea in a bid to block Koffi, ended up serving Joseph Mbong who sped clear and slid the ball past Picon.