Ħamrun Spartans completed an impressive comeback in YoHealth Malta Premier League as the Malta champions beat Sliema Wanderers 1-0 to finish the top of the Opening Round and put one hand on the championship trophy.
Trailing Floriana by one point, the Spartans needed to beat the Wanderers and hope Floriana fail to overcome neighbouring rivals Valletta to secure top spot.
A goal from new signing Demir Ceter handed the Spartans three important points that lifted them to the top of the standings on 34 points, one clear of Floriana, who could only manage a goalless draw against Valletta.
The match turned out to be a balanced affair with scoring chances few and far between.
Ħamrun broke the deadlock on 29 minutes when Ceter controlled the ball inside the area, turned past his marker and hit a low drive that rolled past goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi.
Matias Garcia could have doubled Ħamrun’s lead seven minutes later but was denied by Al Tumi.
Seven minutes from the break, Sliema thought they had levelled matters when Roko Prsa, facing his former club, fired home from close in. However, after a Football Video Support Review the goal was annulled for foul play.
Ħamrun kept pushing forward after the break, and N’Dri Koffi hit a firm drive that hit the side-netting.
Ceter had the chance to close out the match on the hour mark when he broke through but fired just wide.
The Colombian forward had another chance six minutes later when he was played in by Compri but fired over the onrushing Al Tumi.
As the minutes passed, the tension started to creep at the Tony Bezzina Stadium with the Spartans fans anxious to see their team hold to their lead while hoping the stalemate would prevail between Valletta and Floriana.
It was Henry Bonello who ensured Ħamrun would keep their cleansheet when first he effected a fine save to push away a shot by Sulehmana Bah.
Then in stoppage time, Bonello effected another miraculous save to deny Kyrian Nwoko and ensure the Spartans held on to the win.
At the National Stadium, Floriana missed another opportunity to seal top spot when they could only manage a goalless draw against Valletta.
It was a disappointing outcome for the Greens who played for more than 30 minutes with a player less following the early dismissal Diogo Tavares.
But they struggled to create chances and the dismissal of Charles M’Mwombwa midway to the second half further complicated matters as the Valletta defence held firm to secure a point and remain unbeaten against Florian this season.
Both teams brought on new signings to their starting formation as Floriana paraded Bosnia and Herzegovina defensive midfielder Alen Kurtalic and Myles Beerman while Valletta handed a team spot to forward Diogo Tavares.
The match was off to a fast start with Valletta almost regaled with an opener after two minutes when Floriana goalkeeper Gabriele Cioletti charged out of goal to clear the ball but hit straight at Yannick Yankam whose long-range shot just missed the upright.
Two minutes later, the Citizens came again close when Floriana failed to clear Tavares’ cross and Andrea Zammit saw his firm drive somehow kept up by Cioletti.
However, Tavares debut only lasted for 13 minutes when the Portuguese forward was shown a straight red card for hitting Zach Xerri in the face in an aerial challenge after the Football Video Support was consulted.
Despite enjoying numerical advantage, Floriana struggle to put any pressure on the Valletta defence as the Citizens remained well disciplined and never lost shape.
A Jake Grech’s delivery from a corner was met by Owen Spiteri but the Floriana defender was denied by a fine reflex save from goalkeeper Adilson Maringa.
Numerical parity was restored ten minutes into the second half after a moment of madness from Floriana midfielder Charles M’Mwombwa.
The Tanzania defender was shown a straight red card after kicking Sava Radic in an off-the-ball incident.
There was more drama as on 61 minutes as Valletta called for a Football Video Support review of a handball of Owen Spiteri but the referee denied their claims and awarded a foul to Floriana.
Floriana threatened 15 minutes from time when they were awarded a central free-kick and Jake Grech’s shot just skimmed the upright.
Four minutes from time, Floriana protested for a penalty when Jah fell under the challenge of Brewer but the referee stood by his decision of not awarding the spot kick following a Football Video Support review.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Savic effect a providential tackle when he flew full strech to block Federico Varela’s shot who was through on goal.
Meijer almost won it for Valletta in the fifth minute of stoppage but the Dutchman failed to make full contact with the ball after a Kewom Ewurum run as the stalemate prevailed much to the disappointment of the Floriana fans.
