Hamrun S ........................... 2
Gudja U. ............................ 2
Hamrun S: E. Bartolo, T. Caruana, J. Ailton Soares, W. Domoraud, C. Failla, N. Leone, L. Soufiane, M. Criaco, K. Micallef, O. Nikolopoulos, M. Cinquini (R. Darmanin 87').
Gudja U: J. Debono, Z. Cassar (J. Farrugia 74'), A. Friggieri (D. Grima 79'), R. Winchester, C. Santana Barroso, G. Mensah, A. De Barros, H. Vella, J.A. Bolanos, J. Grioli, A. Miranda (L. Cremona 61').
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Ass. Referees: Paul Apap, Ivan Galea
Scorers: M. Criaco 43', J. A. Bolanos 48', R. Winchester 81', R. Darmanin 88'
Yellow cards: L. Soufiane 73',
Player of the match: Carlos Santana (Gudja U)
TMI Best Three: 1. C. Santana, 2. J. Ailton Soares, 3. R. Winchester
Attendance: 931
Rayn Darmanin saved Hamrun's blushes yesterday heading home a late equaliser against Gudja with his first of the ball having been barely a minute on the field of play.
Gudla were moments away from glory as they staged a second half comeback to upset the more fancied Spartans who had taken a first half lead with a breath taking goal from Criaco. In the second half Gudja showed all their worth to confirm the showing of the the first game against Hibernians.
They obtained an immediate equaliser after the break and then forged ahead ten minutes from time and also hit the crossbar, only to see their hopes of glory washed away by Darmanin's header.
Carlos Santana was outstanding for Gudja, but the whole of Josef Mansueto's setup confirmed that this Gudja side will be a hard nut to crack for the rest of the Premier outfits.
Hamrun started more on the offensive with Ailton Soares having a powerful drive brilliantly saved by Debono after barely five minutes play. This initial burst from the Spartans was however quickly subdued by a Gudja side, well organised in defence.
The Spartans continued to hold the upper hand but failed to create clear cut chances, with their only attempts coming from long distance through Triston Caruana and Soufiane. On 36 minutes Gudja missed a golden opportunity when in a fast break Winchester came face to face with Bartolo but his grounder missed the base of the upright.
Hamrun continued to attack and a Clayton Failla shot on the turn just missed the crossbar. The goal was in the offing for the Spartans who broke the deadlock on 43 minutes. It was a great goal scored by Marco Criaco who first-timed beutifully past Debono from the edge of the area after a Domoraud effort was blocked by a Gudja defender.
Just before the break Gudja almost drew level when from a Grioli cross, Gabriel Mensah headed just wide from close range.
Three minutes into the second half and Gudja were back on levelterms when Bolanos headed beautifully home a friggieri corner. Sixty seconds later Hamrun were almost back in front with Soares' shot just missing the crossbar.
On 54 minutes Soares was again dangerous, this time on the left flank and Debono had to produce his best to block the danger. But Gudja were now dangerous in their breaks too and Friggieri missed a good opportunity lobbing over the onrushing Bartolo.
On 63 minutes Bartolo made his best save, a brilliant one off a Santana freekick. Minutes later Winchester dribbled past a couple of defenders before forcing Bartolo to another great save.
On 79 minutes Debono saved his side with a very good save off a close range header from Domoraud following a Triston Caruana corner. Two minutes later Gudja took the lead when Renold Winchester ran from the centre of the field and managed to resist Nikolopoulos' tackle to beat Bartolo with a low drive, that was probably deflected by the same Greek Hamrun defender.
The Spartans threw everything forward to save the match but Gudja were unlucky not to seal the issue when Santana passed towards Winchester who lobbed the ball beautifully over Bartolo, but the ball slammed against the crossbar.
Sixty seconds later and Hamrun drew level when Soares crossed towards substitute Ryan Darmanin who headed home with his first touch of the ball in the match.