Marsaxlokk puncture Ħamrun Spartans’ title charge with dominant victory

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS         1         

Koffi 45

MARSAXLOKK              3  

Tsoumou 19; Minala 44; Weder 59

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS

Celio, S. Xerri, S. Attard, M. Garcia, S. Thioune (46 S. Thioune), J. Mbong (46 D. Simkus), N. Koffi, A. Coric (62 M. Hadži), O. Bjelicic (72 R. Compri), E Marcelina, R. Camenzuli (46 N. Micallef).

MARSAXLOKK

C. Mafoumbi, W. Silva, E. Pepe, N. Muscat, J. Tsoumou (81 M. Santos), U. Arias, J. Corbalan, Dodo (90 E. Attard), J. Minala, L. Aguirre (90 J. Vella, A. Majok (77 J. Ghio).

Referee: Ezekiel Barbara.

Yellow cards: M. Garcia, W. Silva, N. Micallef, L. Aguirre.

Marsaxlokk earned a well-deserved first win in the Top 6 as they defeated Ħamrun Spartans 3-1.

The Spartans, who were coming from a positive performance, despite a 0-2 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday, conceded a goal mid-way through the first half. Marsaxlokk doubled the score towards the end of the first half but Ħamrun pulled one back in added time.

However, Marsaxlokk restored the two-goal lead early on the restart and from then onwards, Giacomo Modica’s side seemed unable to react.

Modica made wholesale changes from the team which faces Shakhtar Donetsk, also in view of Thursday’s visit to Shamrock Rovers.

Celio made a rare start in goal while Sven Xerri, Shaisen Attard and Saliou Thione among others were handed a start.

Enzo Potenza, on the other hand, opted to start with Weder Silva and Ayom Majok with Oualid El Hasni and Nevin Portelli remaining on the bench.

The Spartans had the first attempt at goal on four minutes when Joseph Mbong headed just over the bar off a cross from the right by Attard.

Just over a minute later, Dodo tested Celio with a powerful drive which was neutralised by the Ħamrun goalkeeper while on 16 minutes, Celio blocked Ayom Majok before he could conclude from close range when served by Dodo.

However, on 19 minutes, the Southseasiders were not to be denied. Dodo served Juvhel Tsoumou inside the area and the latter controlled the ball, rounded a defender before slotting the ball past Celio.

Ħamrun had an excellent opportunity to level matters on 25 minutes when N’Dri Koffi pounced on a through ball on the right flank but his conclusion was deflected by Mafoumbi into a corner. 

On the other hand, Dodo missed a good chance for Marsaxlokk, hitting high off an inviting pass by Ayom Majok on 37 minutes.

One minute from the end of the first half, Marsaxlokk doubled the score.

Tsoumou served Majok on the right and the latter entered the area before passing the ball to Joseph Minala whose rising shot from outside the area beat the Ħamrun custodian.

Four minutes in added time the Spartans reduced the gap.

Attard delivered a corner from the right, Mafoumbi punched the ball out of the area but Ante Coric served N’Dri Koffi whose powerful shot from the left gave the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper no chance. 

Six minutes in the second half, Marsaxlokk threatened to restore the two goal lead as Dodo hit the upright when he received a cross by Majok, chested the ball down and tried his luck with a shot from inside the area.

However, on 59 minutes, Enzo Potenza’s side extended the lead. Leandro Aguirre delivered a corner from the right and Weder Silva rose high to head home past Celio.

From then onwards, Marsaxlokk controlled without particular difficulty to take home the three points.