Hamrun 6

Marsaxlokk 2

This game between the two bottom sides, looked likely to unfold into an intriguing encounter for Hamrun Spartans in the first period as they trailed Marsaxlokk 2-1 at halftime, despite being the better side.

But that changed after the restart as the Spartans’ implicit superiority began to show, enabling them to score five goals, apart from being denied twice more by the woodwork.

At the end, Hamrun won comfortably with their three best players, Massimo Grima, Gianluca Calabretta and Dene Shields getting their name on the scoresheet.

With Ivan Kurtisic ineligible to play for them, Marsaxlokk fought gamely for the first 45 minutes, although they were always made to absorb the Hamrun pressure. Oladotun and Perez’s inclusion gave coach Cremona more options in attack and even Jean Paul Farrugia was given better service. But they collapsed completely in the second half as their rearguard suffered with Hamrun’s numerous cross-field passes and searching crosses.

Without the suspended Ribeiro, Hamrun, as expected, laid siege on the Marsaxlokk fort, showing all their attacking intent from the very start. And for all their dominance and the chances they carved out during the first 45 minutes, they should have taken a healthy lead by halftime. Instead they were always caught flat at the back and twice trailed their opponents, who also had their moments.

Equally significant was Christian Cassar’s contribution in the Marsaxlokk goal as he frustrated the Hamrun forwards time and again with some smart saves.

He repelled Spiteri’s low shot after only four minutes as the Hamrun forward fluffed his chance on Gauci’s testing cross minutes later. On nine minutes, Calabretta ran down the left but Shields’ shot was blocked into a corner.

The goal came on the other end after 12 minutes. Oladotun provided the cross from the left for Jean Paul Farrugia to beat keeper Borg with a rising shot from close range.

That sparked an immediate response by Hamrun and on 18 minutes Shields ran inside the Marsaxlokk area after beating Brincat’s challenge but keeper Cassar saved well.

The Spartans were rewarded on 22 minutes. Shields did the work on the left, Sammut’s header on Spiteri’s cross was cleared on the line before Gianluca Calabretta put the final touch.

With equilibrium restored, the game became more evenly balanced as Hamrun stayed more cautious at the back. Their defence was breached again however on 36 minutes. Peter Oladotun persisted on Pedrozo’s pass, shrugged Hartwig’s challenge to beat keeper Borg with a low strike.

Hamrun again found themselves chasing the game. They went close to level matters before the break as Calabretta’s dangerous shot from the edge of the area took a deflection into a corner. From the ensuing Gauci corner kick, Agius’ goalbound effort was held out by the outstretched keeper Cassar.

But it took Hamrun only a minute into the second half to draw level. From Gauci’s corner, Massimo Grima was allowed space to head past keeper Cassar at the near post.

Marsaxlokk still made forays inside the Hamrun area although these became less and far between in the second half. On Pedrozo’s cross, Farrugia had a header and a shot blocked by Grima in quick succession. But that was closest the Southseasiders could go, as Hamrun took the bit between their teeth and the balance shifted dramatically in their favour.

On the hour, keeper Cassar was beaten on Sammut’s low shot, following Calabreatta’s cross but the ball rebounded off the inside of the post.

Hamrun were not to be denied on 69 minutes. Gianluca Calabretta hooked a cross from the left and drilled his shot past the keeper, the ball hitting the underside of the bar for Hamrun to take the lead for the first time in the match.

And with the Marsaxlokk defence completely in tatters, ripped apart by Hamrun’s forages and crosses from both flanks, the much-feared goal deluge materialised in the final 20 minutes.

On 71 minutes, Massimo Grima made it 4-2 with a powerful direct free kick from outside the area on the left.

It was then down to Dene Shields to score two more goals and crown a lively performance as he provided the cross on 73 minutes and then headed in the rebound after Spiteri’s effort had thumped against the bar.

And with nine minutes remaining, Hartvig was on target, heading in Camilleri’s cross to complete the rout.

Hamrun S: O. Borg, S. Bonnici, G. Calabretta, R. Hartwig, M. Gauci, M. Grima (L. Grech), L. Agius (R. Mangion), K. Sammut, D. Camilleri, D. Shields, G. Spiteri (D. Zerafa)

Coach: S. Sultana

Marsaxlokk: C. Cassar, P. Borg, C. Brincat, T. Templeman, N. Stoskovic (S. Borg), C. Debattista, L. Agius ( S. Eboh), J.P. Farrugia, G. Caruana, P. Oladotun, A. Pedrozo

Coach: A. Cremona

Referee: G. Tonna

Asst.refs: K. Borg, A. Grech

4th official: M. Spiteri

Scorers: J.P. Farrugia 12, G. Calabretta 22, 69, P. Oladotun 36, M. Grima 46, 71, D. Shields 73, R. Hartvig 81

Yellow cards: R. Hartwig, M. Grima

Player of the match: Massimo Grima (Hamrun S)

TMI top 3: 1. M. Grima 2. D. Shields 3. G. Calabretta

Attendance: 894