Watch: Clinical Ħamrun Spartans punish Birkirkara to keep pressure on Floriana

Ħamrun Spartans moved back to within two points of leaders Floriana as they produced a clinical display on their way to a 3-0 win over Birkirkara.

The Spartans were desperate to produce a statement performance after last week just managed to save a point against Floriana, and then were eliminated from the FA Trophy by Valletta.

 But the Malta champions looked focused to secure the three points with a determined display, which saw them outbattle Birkirkara and a well-taken goal by Matthew Guillaumier and a Joseph Mbong brace handed them three important points that enable them to keep up the pressure on Floriana.

On the other hand, this was a damaging defeat for Birkirkara, who are now facing the prospect of missing out on the Top 6, as sitting in eighth place on 12 points, they must rely on seeing their direct rivals drop points to stay in the hunt in their final match of the Opening Phase.

Ħamrun Spartans made their intentions clear right from the outset as they managed to take the lead after only seven minutes of play.

Shaisen Attard sent a dipping cross into the path of Mouad El Fanis, who saw his effort coming off the upright, but in came Matthew Guillaumier, who fired the ball into the net.

Birkirkara tried to fight back and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty three minutes later. Ħamrun defender Ryan Camenzuli seemed to have mistimed his attempt to head the ball and barged into Francisco Lopez, but the referee waved play on.

The Stripes’ best chance of the half arrived on 15 minutes when Acheampong’s throughball released the printing Lucas Macula, who rounded Bonello, but his shot drifted at the wrong side of the upright and wide.

The match remained a hard-fought affair with the referee finding it difficult to keep control of the players’ nerves as the match was characterised with several confrontations and rash challenges.

On 31 minutes, Guillaumier almost added a second goal when he connected to Bulevardi’s cross, but his header was somehow kept out by Martinez.

The last chance of the first half fell to Birkirkara when the Spartans failed to clear a long ball inside the area, but Macula blasted the ball over.

After the break, Ħamrun set out to try and find a second goal and came close to reaching that target on 55 minutes when Attard’s cross fell into the path of Bjelicic, who saw his volley finish just over.

On 70 minutes, the woodwork came to Birkirkara’s rescue when Bjelicic’s shot came off the upright.

Four minutes later, Birkirkara finally threatened when from a Jan Busuttil free-kick, Coppola headed the ball just wide.

But when play resumed, Ħamrun doubled their lead.

In a swift break, El Fanis found Mbong who did well to turn past his marker and hit a thumping volley into the far post.

There was more misery for Bikirkara as on 77 minutes the Spartans added a third goal. Lopez fouled El Fanis inside the area, and from the spot, Mbong sent Martinez the wrong way to all but wrap up his points for his team.

Birkirkara had the chance to pull a goal back eight minutes from time when Redi profited from a mistake by Polito and sped through but was denied by the onrushing Bonello.