Hamrun S. 1
Gzira U. 1
Hamrun S.: E. Bartolo, E. Pepe, T. Caruana, S. Nayar, W. Domoraud, M. Gauci, P. Doding, M. Criaco, K. Micallef, D. Moukanza (A. Scicluna 82), O. Nikolopoulos
Gzira: J. Haber, Z. Scerri, R. Soares, A. Cohen, J. Corbolan (S. Domoraud 46), R. Briffa, G. Conti, S. Borg, J. Mengolo (E. Zarate Bilbao 68), F. Barbosa
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann
Asst. Refs: C. Francalanza, P. Apap
4th official: E. Mangion
Scorer: M. Criaco 14, G. Conti 90
Yellow cards: H. Garba 66
BoV Player of the match: M. Criaco
TMI Top 3: 1. E. Pepe, 2. A. Cohen, 3. M. Criaco
Attendance: 565
Gzira United managed to maintain their unbeaten record yesterday evening as they scored a late equaliser to deny Hamrun a victory.
Marco Criaco had given the Spartans a 14th minute lead and the Spartans had more than a fair number of scoring chances which they missed , paying dearly for their lapses as Gianmarco Conti equalised for Gzira in the 90th minute.
The draw kept Gzira in second place on 33 points ahead of tomorrow's top clash between Hibernians and Valletta.
Hamrun drop to 5th place. They now have 27 points, but have been overtaken by Birkirkara who have 28.
The Spartans were missing two of their most influential players - defensive midfielder Antonio Monticelli (has joined Valletta) and striker Kevin Tulimieri.
On their part, the Maroons had no players missing apart from injured striker Amadou Samb.
Gzira may have seen more of the ball during the first half, but they rarely, if ever, were able to penetrate a strong Hamrun rearguard where Enrico Pepe and Orestis Nikolopoulos were in command.
In their fewer attacks, the Spartans created a lot more than their opponents and by the interval they should have scored at least another goal to go for a rest with a healthier cushion than the 1-0 lead they enjoyed.
The match followed the same pattern in the second half with Gzira dictating most of the play but never really being dangerous, except on the occasion when they levelled matters a few minutes before the final whistle.
On the other hand, Hamrun were much more dangerous in their fast forays and missed a number of good chances which could have assured them of the three points.
Soon after the start, Hamrun threatened through a Moukanza good pass to Domoraud, but goalie Haber rushed out of his charge to block.
Moments later, at the other end, it was former Hamrun player Haruna Garba who tested Bartolo with a low shot but the Spartans goalie managed to turn to corner.
Hamrun took the lead on the 14th minute when Priso Doding set Marco Criaco in the Gzira area and the latter advanced to score with a low shot to the left of goalie Haber.
Hamrun were again dangerous on 21 minutes through a Nayar overhead kick which went just over.
In the 37th minute, Hamrun had another good chance to increase their lead when off a Caruana good cross, Priso Doding controlled the ball badly and hit wide from five metres.
In Gzira's only real chance on 40 minutes, it was Justin Mengolo who saw his good header off a Cohen cross going just over.
In first half added time, a Roderick Briffa shot was easily saved by Bartolo.
Soon after the start of the second half, Moukanza almost added a second goal for the Spartans, but he was blocked by the onrushing Haber.
On 55 minutes, Cohen had a fine freekick just missing the target. But it was the Spartans who again missed a glorious chance to double their lead on 59 minutes. From a Moukanza cross, Doding missed the ball completely in front of an untenanted goal.
The Spartans again contrived to miss another opportunity on 63 minutes when Wilfried Domoraud advanced past his direct opponent, but was stopped by Haber as he tried to dribble round the Gzira goalie instead of having a pot at goal.
On 70 minutes, it was Haber who saved the Gzira fort once again as he blocked a Doding effort.
Gzira equalised in the 90th minute when from a cornerkick, the ball went to Gianmarco Conti who scored with a splendid overhead kick.