Ħamrun Spartans campaign ended in disappointment after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers.
It was a frustrating night for the Malta champions who looked a solid bet to take something from the match when N’Dri Koffi cancelled Burke’s first-half conversion.
However, the Spartans’ hopes were dealt a major blow when Joseph Mbong was dismissed on 27 minutes, leaving the Maltese side with a player less for the next hour.
The Maltese side tried to battle hard but Shamrock’s territorial advantage took its toll as they secured their first win in the competition.
For Ħamrun Spartans it was a bitter end to what has been an historic run in Europe.
FULL TIME
Shamrock Rovers 3 Ħamrun Spartans 1
10.55pm It’s all over… Shamrock win the match and it’s a bitter end for Ħamrun Spartans.
10.53pm Shamrock Rovers add a third goal with a minute left as John McGovern drills the ball past Bonello to settle the match.
10.52pm In the first minute of stoppage time, Meijer tries to connect with Compri’s cross but commits a foul on the Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper.
10.50pm Time is running out for Ħamrun Spartans as there are four minutes of stoppage time to play.
10.47pm Ħamrun seem unable to create chances as fatigue is creeping in. Remember they have been with ten menn for more than an hour after Joseph Mbong’s dismissal.
10.44pm Shamrock Rovers continue to miss chances and this time it is McGovern who sees his shot repelled by the Ħamrun goalkeeper.
10.41pm Ten minutes to go and Ħamrun Spartans need something to avoid defeat.
10.37pm Modica is set for a double change as Ante Coric and Domantas Simkus replace El Fanis and Nikolai Micallef.
10.35pm Shamrock Rovers continue to threaten with Grant turning past his marker but his effort is parried away by Bonello.
10.29pm Henry Bonello again distinguishes himself with a smart save on Gaffney.
10.22pm Modica has sensed that Ħamrun are too vulnerable at the back and he withdrew Koffi and brought on Brazilian midfielder Eder.
10.18pm The Malta goalkeeper is keeping Ħamrun in the match as a minute later he shows great reflexes to deny Gaffney again.
10.17pm Shamrock thought they scored a third goal but Bonello produces a miraculous save to keep out Gaffney’s shot with the aid of the upright.
10.11pm Ħamrun Spartans have a free-kick as Koffi is floored just outside the area deep in the left flank El Fanis on the ball. But his cross is blocked by the wall and the home side clear.
10.09pm Shamrock threaten after 49 minutes when a deflected shot falls to Grantr who directs his shot into the sidenetting.
10.07 Meijer has partnered Koffi upfront is primed for more control in midfield.
10.05pm Welcome back and Ħamrun Spartans are set for a double change as Dutch forward Steijn Meijer and Jovan Cadenovic are coming on for Saliou Thioune and Matias Garcia.
9.55pm We take a short break and will be back for the start of the second half.
HALF-TIME… The referee brings to an end the first half and the Spartans have a long way back as they have to turn the match around with a player less.
9.50pm Shamrock Rovers score… When it looked that Ħamrun done enough to go at the break level, the home side. Bonello produces a fine save to keep out Gaffney’s header, but Matthews sends the ball to wards Grant who taps home from close in.
9.48pm Ħamrun threaten as Koffi moves inside the area but his cross finds no takers.
9.46pm Five minutes of added time for what has been an eventful first half.
9.47pm Ħamrun Spartans survive as their defensive wall blocks Burke’s shot from the free-kick.
9.42pm Four minutes to the half-time and Shamrock Rovers are awarded a free-kick as Bonello is forced to punch away El Fanis back pass. Huge side for the home side.
9.40pm Five minutes from the break, the Spartans break forward and Thioune releases Koffic but is anticipated by a Shamrock Rovers defender.
9.35pm It’s a delicate phase for the Spartans who all in all remain somewhat in control.
9.32pm Mbong’s dismissal has seen Modica move Thioune near Koffi in as they switched to 4-3-2.
9.30pm The Ħamrun winger is shown a straight red card for what the referee felt it was a reckless challelnge.
9.28pm Red card for Joseph Mbong.
9.20pm Ħamrun level…. N’Dri Koffi scores. Raphael Compri sends a fine cross and El Fanis’s shot is blocked by the Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper and from the rebound Koffi fires home.
9.19pm Bonello comes to Ħamrun’s rescue when he denies the goalbound
9.18pm Ħamrun have an immediate chance to hit back when Koffi is found in space inside the area but his shot is blocked by the Shamrock goalkeeper… should have done better.
9.15pm From the penalty, Graham Burke sends Bonello the wrong way.
9.13pm Penalty for Shamrock Rovers… it’s a soft decision as Polito is harshly judged to have handled the ball in an attempt to block Watts shot.
9.09pm Ħamrun almost strike after eight minutes when Raphael Compri finds N’Dri Koffi inside the area but the forward is blocked by Daniel Cleary.
9.07pm Shamrock Rovers have come out really aggressively with their direct play and the Spartans need to remain disciplined at the back.
9.04pm Shamrock have their first chance after two minutes when in a swift attack, Adam Matthews picked Rory Gaffney who was denied by Henry Bonello.
9.02pm It’s a cagey start to the match with both teams trying to assert their dominance.
9pm And we’re off…
8.58pm The teams are out and lining up with the match officials. We are a few minutes from kick off.
8.55pm An interesting factor is that Shamrock Rovers have sold another young player, Victor Ozhianvuna, to Premier League giants Arsenal. The 17-year old will join the English side in January 2027, when he turns 18.
8.55pm The match is set to be played in dry conditions but in freezing conditions so we will have to see how the Ħamrun Spartans acclimatise to the conditions.
8.53pm Tonight’s match will be under the supervision of Czech Republic referee Marek Radina.
8.50pm In his pre-match press conference, Shamrock Rovers coach Stephen Bradley said that he had been impressed by Ħamrun Spartans and was wary of the threat by the Ħamrun Spartans attacking trio of N’Dri Koffi, Saliou Thioune and Joseph Mbong. Hopefully, tonight he will be served another difficult night by the Spartans forwards.
8.45pm For Ħamrun Spartans this has been an historic European campaign as they not only became the first Maltese team to qualify to the League Phase of a UEFA club competition, but they also secured their first win in the League Phase when defeating Lincoln Red Imps 3-1 at the National Stadium.
8.41pm The Ħamrun Spartans players have just completed their warm-up as we are only 20 minutes away from kick-off.
8.35pm Before kick-off, club president Joseph Portelli met the Ħamrun Spartans fans who made the trip to Dublin and was given a rapturous reception.
8.25pm On the other hand, Shamrock Rovers are without Josh Honohan has left the Irish champions and joined English side Lincoln City
8.18pm Mouad El Fanis was another novelty as the young midfielder starts ahead of Ante Coric who was included among the substitutes.
8.10pm The teams are on the pitch warming up and we have some team news for you.
Ħamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica is without wingback Ryan Camenzuli who picked up an injury in Sunday’s Premier League clash against Marsaxlokk. In his place, Nikolai Micallef was given the nod to start at right back.
8.05pm Ħamrun Spartans are already in the building and in a few minutes we have got some team news for you.
8pm The stadium is already filling up and the Ħamrun Spartans fans, who have turned in their hundreds, have already filled the majority of their section.
7.50pm Good evening from a freezing Tallaght Stadium in Dublin and welcome to our live commentary of Ħamrun Spartans’ final UEFA Conference League against Shamrock Rovers.
There is a lot of excitement among the Ħamrun Spartans fans who are hopeful that their team can end their historic European campaign with victory at the Tallaght Stadium.
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