Hamrun S. 1
Santa Lucia 1
Hamrun S.: J. Debattista, T. Caruana, V. Alhinho, A. Dodo Soares (D. Borg 72'), W. Domoraud, C. Failla, S. Lagzir, M. Criaco, K. Micallef, O. Nikolopoulos, M. Cinquini
Santa Lucia: R. Caruana, G. Mentz, K. Pinheiro Correia, J. Usuga Mendoza, L. Riascos, K. Ante Rosero (L. Galea 87'), J. Walker, D. Agius, O. Elouni (A. Magri Overend 58'), R. Tachikawa (J. Zerafa 78'), W. De Souza Batata
Referee: Mario Apap
Asst refs: Mitchell Scerrim, Ivan Galea
4th official: Slobodan Petrovic
Yellow Cards: Nikolopoulos, Alhinho, Lagzir, Pinheiro Correia, Usuga Mendoza, Luis Riascos
Scorers: Wilfried Domoraud 19' , Jamie Zerafa 78'
BOV Player of the Match: Wilfried Domoraud (Hamrun S.)
TMI Top 3 : 1. W. Domoraud 2. K. Ante Rosero 3. R. Caruana
Hamrun Spartans were held by Santa Lucia in the second match from the ninth day of the BOV Premier League. They took an early lead through their striker Wilfried Domoraud but twelve minutes from time the Saints drew level through substitute Jamie Zerafa who had just entered the pitch instead of Tachikawa.
Hamrun Spartans were hoping to return to winning ways after dropping two points in a goalless draw with Birkirkara last week and thus wanted not to lose further ground the their quest to challenge for honours.
On the other hand their oppontents Santa Lucia lost three out of the last four matches after such a bright start to the campaign. Therefore they were desperate for points in order to move further up the table and avoid to be tangled into a relegation battle.
Nicola Leone was ruled out for the Spartans serving a one-match ban whereas goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo was recovering from an injury.
This result was a setback for Hamrun who with Gzira and possibly Floriana capitalizing from this result and therefore widening the gap at the top of the table.
But overall it was an entertaining match with both teams venturing forward and having numerous chances. As early as the 1st minute a Kevin Ante Rosero shot sailed just over the bar.
Hamrun responded three minutes later when off a cross from the right side goalkeeper Caruana failed to clear with Criaco's shot just missing the target.
On 16 minutes Hamrun causa a threat to the opposing defence when an Alhinho shot was saved by goalkeeper Caruana. But the Spartans opened their account two minutes later when Alhinho was the supplier and Wilfried Domoraud the executioner
Six minutes from the end of the first half Rei Tachikawa headed wide. And in the 41st minute protested for an alleged hand ball in the area but the match official waved play on.
On resumption Jacob Walker was there to meet an Tachikawa cross only for his header to miss the target by a few inches. In the 67th minute Jean Claude Debattista produced a wonderful save denying Kevin Ante Rosero.
And on the other end Soufiane Lagzir came into the picture sending his shot just wide off the mark. But the Saints drew level thirteen minutes from the end when Wilkerson lobbed the ball over and it was the easiest conversion for substitute Jamie Zerafa who with an empty net drafted the ball in.
Hamrun Spartans tried to mount a late rally but the organized Santa Lucia rearguard marshalled by goalkeeper Ryan Caruana held steady to gain a precious point from a difficult encounter.