Guillaumier’s last-gasp goal helps Ħamrun Spartans to salvage point against Floriana

Matthew Guillaumier grabbed a dramatic equaliser for Ħamrun Spartans as the Malta champions snatched a 1-1  draw against leaders Floriana at the National Stadium.

It looked as though Floriana were set to open a crucial five-point lead at the top of the YoHealth Malta Premier Closing Round when Kenan Dervisagic fired them ahead early on and looked as though they had controlled the Spartans’ effort to get back into the match.

However, a loss in concentration in defence in the final seconds of the match proved costly as Guillamier rammed home the equaliser that kept the Spartans just two points behind leaders Floriana.

Ħamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica made two changes to the team that beat Marsaxlokk last Monday as Danilo Bulevardi and Jonny were drafted in at the expense of Emerson Marcelina and Shaisen Attard.

Floriana, under the charge of Daniel Portela, had four new faces in their starting XI as Kenan Dervisagic, Dunstan Vella, Aristide Mabea, and Paul Mbong were all handed a starting berth.

Floriana took the lead after 12 minutes of play when Kenon Dervisagic beat the Spartans’ offside trap, and although his first effort was blocked by Sven Xerri, the Bosnian forward made no mistake from the rebound.

The Spartans looked stunned, and they finally responded on 22 minutes when, from a Matthew Guillaumier corner-kick, Sven Xerri headed the ball just wide.

Ħamrun continued to dominate possession and on 25 minutes, Danilo Bulevardi hit a curling drive that finished just over.

At the other end, Mendonca latched onto Jake Grech’s delivery from a corner, but his header finished just over.

The match remained end-to-end stuff with Blessing Ekele denied by Cioletti.

Modica was clearly not happy with his team’s performance, and on 35 minutes he effected a double change as Eleke and Bulevardi were hauled off and were replaced by Emerson Marcelina and Michele Carboni as he looked to add more guile and pace to his team’s play.

As expected, Ħamrun started the second half on the front foot with Sven Xerri moving past Jake Grech, and his low cross was met by Jonny, who saw his first shot blocked by Mbeya and the rebound repelled by Kurtalic.

Ħamrun failed to build on that early momentum as they started to lose lucidity when pushing forward as for all their possession, they failed to create any danger to Cioletti in the Floriana goal.

Eleven minutes from time, Floriana cleared a Guillaumier corner kick into the path of Bjelicic, who, however, fired over.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Shaisen Attard found Michele Carboni but his shot was blocked by a defender.

However, when it looked as though Floriana had done enough to take all three points, Ħamrun grabbed a dramatic equaliser.

Serber tried to force his way into the area but his run was blocked by a defender. However, the ball rolled into the path of Guillaumier, who hit a thumping drive that flew into the net.