Ħamrun Spartans suffer late collapse as Marsaxlokk win five-goal thriller

MARSAXLOKK 3-2 ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
El Hasni 6, Simkus 45, Caruana 90 (M); Marcelina 34 pen., Mbong 73 (Ħ)

Ħamrun Spartans suffered a major setback in their pursuit of the Top Six Closing Round summit after conceding a dramatic 98th-minute goal to lose 3-2 against Marsaxlokk.

Ħamrun showed early intent, with Ivan Inzoudine testing Christoffer Mafoumbi, but the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper was equal to the effort. However, it was Marsaxlokk who struck first just four minutes in, as Oualid El-Hasni rose highest to head past Henry Bonello at the far post.

The early goal visibly unsettled the defending champions, who struggled to respond immediately. Damir Ceter fired off target, while Matthew Guillaumier saw his effort well saved by Mafoumbi as Ħamrun gradually grew into the game.

Their pressure paid off on the half-hour mark when they were awarded a penalty after a suspected handball by James Vella from a corner. The decision was upheld following Marsaxlokk’s FVS review, and Emerson Marcelina made no mistake from the spot to level the score.

But just as Ħamrun seemed to regain control, Marsaxlokk hit back before the interval. Former Spartans midfielder Domantas Simkus found the net against his old side, restoring his team’s lead heading into half-time.

Ħamrun coach Giacomo Modica responded with changes at the break, including the introduction of Joseph Mbong, in a bid to shift the momentum. Yet Marsaxlokk started the second half strongly, and the Spartans’ task became even more difficult when Marcelina was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, leaving them a man down for over half an hour.

Modica reacted again on the hour, introducing Ekele Blessing to partner Ceter upfront as Ħamrun pushed forward despite their numerical disadvantage.

Marsaxlokk continued to threaten, with Rasmus Linden glancing a header just wide, but it was Ħamrun who found the next goal. Mbong capitalised inside the box to beat Mafoumbi and draw the Spartans level once more, reigniting hopes of a comeback. Ryan Camenzuli was then introduced as Ħamrun pushed for a winner.

However, in a dramatic twist deep into stoppage time, Marsaxlokk snatched all three points. Substitute Triston Caruana unleashed a long-range effort that took a decisive deflection, wrong-footing Bonello and sealing a last-gasp 3-2 victory.