Hamrun S.-Birkirkara 0-6

Hamrun S: J. Codina, J. Francica (Roderick Fenech), J. Debattista, I. Zammit, S. Sadowski, R. Fenech (K. Borg), R. Mangion, A. Mansueto, G. Spiteri (D. Cucciardi), C. Nwankwo, J. Magri Overend

Birkirkara: S. David (B. Paris), L. Galea (J. Holland), P. Monye, R. Sammut, W. Camenzuli, E. Barbara, M. Galea, K. Scicluna, R. Briffa, G. Mallia (M. Calascione), A. Ciantar

Referee: M. Borg Asst refs: P. Agius, S. Tanti 4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: Debattista (o.g.), M. Galea (2) 1 pen, E. Barbara (2), W. Camenzuli

Yellow cards: J. Magri Overend, R. Fenech, A. Ciantar

Player of the match: Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. E. Barbara 2. M. Galea 3. W. Camenzuli

Hamrun Spartans yesterday met an irresistible force called Birkirkara and were hit by a goal riot. They went in at half-time four goals down, shell shocked by a sizzling onslaught.

Thanks to this big win, Birkirkara stretched their unbeaten run to four matches to open a three-point gap at the top over Sliema and Hibernians, who both have a game in hand.

It was no more than the Stripes deserved, dominating the game for long periods with sharp, incisive football, as Etienne Barbara continues to wield his magic into an impressive Birkirkara side this season.

Roderick Sammut started the match for the suspended Yanchev but otherwise Birkirkara made no changes from their winning team against Hibernians.

Injuries and suspensions deprived the Spartans of their two foreigners Ndubis Ndah and influential midfielder Okoro, while Sultana started on the bench. But these are no excuses for their inept performance as Birkirkara carved many chances out of their defence, lacking quality and steel.

Hamrun were crushed by two goals in as many minutes early in the game. A fiery start saw Birkirkara take the lead as early as the fourth minutes when a Barbara cross from the right was deflected by Hamrun’s defender Debattista into his own goal, the ball hitting the inside of the upright before beating keeper Cordina.

Hardly two minutes later Michael Galea ran in to connect on another Barbara cross from the right flank. Cordina blocked but Mallia was floored by Sadowski as he was about to shoot in the loose ball to earn his side a penalty. Michael Galea tucked away his side’s second goal from the spot.

Hamrun were forcd to defend grimly as Birkirkara, whipped up by their merry supporters, went forward relentlessly.

On 20 minutes, a Camenzuli rasping shot nearly beat Cordina, who managed to turn the ball into a corner.

On the half hour though, Birkirkara made them 3-0. Etienne Barbara, from the left flank, dribbled his way past Sadowski towards the middle and beat the Hamrun keeper with a low drive.

Four minutes later Michael Galea’s left-foot drive on a short clearance, hit the foot of the post and the Birkirkara striker had his header blocked by keeper Cordina on a Briffa cross.

On 38 minutes Michael Galea beat the square Hamrun defence with his foray down the left flank, his low cross was missed by Mallia but opened a gap for William Camenzuli to rifle his shot past the helpless Cordina.

Birkirkara, who also presented Paris in goal, continued to pile up the goals in the second half.

On 56 minutes Etienne Barbara’s rising shot took a slight deflection and beat keeper Cordina and past the hour substitute Holland’s free-kick was headed in by Michael Galea, who nipped in to score his 11th league goal and complete the Spartans’ humiliation.

The match, however had long been over as a contest.