Hamrun S. 2

St George’s 1

A Stefan Sultana beauty eight minutes from time gave Hamrun Spartans a hard earned victory over First Division leaders St. George’s, to go through to the next round. The match was very balanced and keenly contested, with the Saints showing that their top position with maximum points is no fluke.

Yesterday the pioneers of local football gave a good run for their money to their more gifted opponents. With some luck and without some defensive blunders St. George’s could have sprung a surprise yesterday. They were the better team in the first half dominating the midfield sector with players like Patrick Muscat, Clive Brincat and Larry Lagana in devastating form.

At the back Jesmond Delia was a solid rock, with Sevasta winning his duel with Gaetan Spiteri hands down. In attack St. George’s had Trevor Thomas missing, with Silvio Sciberras giving a great contribution to Anthony Ewurun who had another five star performance.

The Spartans had some key players missing in all departments – Ivan Zammit at the back, Rupert Mangion and Ryan Fenech in midfield, and Okoro upfront. Kevin Borg played his heart out in midfield but could not cope with the Saints’ superiority in the first half.

Although the match was very interesting, scoring chances were few, with Gaetan Spiteri testing Gatt from long range. On 28 minutes St George’s took the lead when Sciberras gave a good assist to Ewurun who made no mistake in front of Cordina. Hamrun were rattled by this setback and St George’s missed the knock out blow two minutes later when Ewurun missed a sitter in front of Cordina.

Hamrun went close with a Kevin Borg header, but St George’s finished in crescendo with a good freekick by the polished Darmanin saved by Cordina, and with a close shave shot by Ewurun.

For the second period Hamrun introduced Cucciardi on the right flank for Evano Briffa, and the Spartans started to move better on the field. After two minutes there was a nasty incident with Johann Spiteri and David Galea colliding in midfield, and both had to be carried off injured. It was somehow a blessing in disguise for the Spartans as with the introduction of veteran Stefan Sultana, Nwankwo was sent to the left flank, and the Nigerian proved to be very dangerous in his new role.

On the resumption Cucciardi hit the base of the upright, and Sultana tested Gatt minutes later.

St. George’s looked a tired lot following their first half effort and the Spartans swarmed all over them, and the equaliser was no surprise.

On 57 minutes a Nwankwo cross was incredibly fumbled by Andrea Gatt and for Gaetan Spiteri it was an easy task tapping the ball in from one metre.

The match was now completely different with the Spartans taking full control of midfield as the Saints tired out, and they failed to produce their first half runs.

With eight minutes to go Hamrun scored what proved to be the winner. Gaetan Spiteri nodded down to Stefan Sultana, whose first timer from the edge of the area finished in the low corner of the net for a spectacular winner.

The Saints tried to produce their last ditch desperate effort but the closest they could go was through substitute Christian Grech who blasted wide when well placed.

St. George’s: A. Gatt, L. Lagana (C. Grech), J. Spiteri (E. Degabriele), J. Delia, E. Sevasta, A. Bonello, P. Muscat, K. Darmanin, S. Sciberras, C. Brincat, A. Ewurun.

Hamrun S: J. Cordina, J. Magri Overend, J. Debattisita, P. Ndubisi Ndah, D. Galea (S. Sultana), S. Sadowski, E. Briffa (D. Cucciardi), A. Mansueto, K. Borg, C. Nwankwo, G. Spiteri.

Scorers: A. Ewurun, G. Spiteri, S. Sultana

Referee: J. Attard, Ass referees: Ms. E. Farrugia, S. Tanti, 4th official: M. Borg