Marsaxlokk overcome Żabbar St Patrick
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 4
Mbong 24, 40; Ceter 55, 68
NAXXAR LIONS 0
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, R. Compri, M. Guillaumier, S. Attard, N. Garcia (77 Ederson), J. Mbong (77 M. Carboni), V. Polito (75 X. Scerri), Jonny (46 D. Ceter),D. Bulevardi, E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli (77 I. Inzoudine).
NAXXAR LIONS
M. Debono, J. Iseppe De Souza (66 A. Guehi), T. Kruger, F. Goncalves, M. Fenech (66 N. Pace Cocks), L. Pahama Ndualu, D. Letherby (84 M. Micallef), Rosiel, G. Costa (78 Y. Montero), Vinicius, J. Moura Cardoso.
Referee: Philip Farrugia
Yellow cards: Goncalves Costa, Pahama, Camenzuli,
Hamrun Spartans left nothing to chance.
Two goals from Joseph Mbong before the break and another brace from substitute Damir Ceter swept aside Naxxar Lions.
The emphatic display sent Giacomo Modica’s men to the summit of the Closing Round, ahead of today’s eagerly-awaited showdown between previous joint-leaders Floriana and Gżira United.
The sight of Vitinho watching from the stands must have disheartened the handful of Naxxar supporters who braved the elements.
Coach Winston Muscat was forced into a reshuffle, despite the emphatic 5–0 victory over neighbours Mosta, as he made three changes to his starting line-up, including the introduction of Daniel Letherby and Theo Kruger.
Naxxar lined up in a compact 5-4-1 formation, packing bodies in front of Matthias Debono and leaving Louis Pahama to shoulder attacking responsibilities on his own.
Ħamrun Spartans made a last-minute change before kick-off. Colombian striker Ceter, who had been named in the starting XI was replaced by Jonny.
From the opening exchanges, Ħamrun dictated proceedings and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. They threatened on 20 minutes when Matthew Guillaumier tested the goalkeeper with a low drive from distance.
The deadlock was broken four minutes later. Shaisen Attard sent in an inviting cross from the right and Mbong timed his run to perfection at the far post to head the ball home.
Naxxar tried to respond through a Joao Pedro free-kick that was met by Felipe Goncalves, only for Guillaumier to clear off the line.
On 33 minutes, Rosiel delivered from wide and Joao Cardoso produced a spectacular bicycle kick that rattled the crossbar.
Ħamrun doubled their advantage on 40 minutes, once again exploiting the flanks. Camenzuli’s cross found Mbong, who rose unchallenged to head home his second of the night in almost identical fashion.
Modica reversed his earlier decision, reintroducing Ceter in place of Jonny.
Naxxar’s misfortune continued as they attempted to steady the ship, with Theo Kruger coming agonisingly close from a free-kick that curled around the wall only to crash against the upright.
On 55 minutes, Mbong turned provider, slicing open the Naxxar defence with a perfectly weighted through ball for Ceter, who made no mistake, firing in via the underside of the crossbar.
Ħamrun extended their lead on 68 minutes when Danilo Bulevardi slipped another delicate through ball into Ceter’s path, the Colombian striker calmly finishing past Debono.
Shortly after the goal, referee Philip Farrugia was forced off with a muscular injury and was replaced by fourth official Emanuel Grech.
With one eye firmly on next Tuesday’s Super Cup final, Modica then rang the changes, making a triple substitution as Camenzuli, Mbong and Garcia were withdrawn.
Sven Xerri was introduced, while newcomers Ivan Inzoudine and Michele Carboni were handed their debuts.
By then, the result was beyond doubt.
MARSAXLOKK 2
Dodo 2; Aguirre 39
ŻABBAR ST PATRICK 1
Im Youngwon 44
Marsaxlokk scored an important victory as they overcame the challenge of Żabbar St Patrick.
The Southerners were desperate for the three points in a bid to keep up the pressure for a Top 6 berth.
Vincenzo Potenza’s men could not have had a better start when they took just two minutes to take the lead through Dodo Soares.
The goal fuelled Marsaxlokk forward and they doubled their lead six minutes from the break through Leandro Aguirre.
Żabbar, still in search of their first point in the Closing Round, tried to fight back and managed to pull a goal back a minute from half-time through Im Youngwon.
However, Marsaxlokk kept their poise in the second half as they successfully defended their advantage to hold on to their lead.
