Mosta 0

Hamrun S. 2

Mosta: C. Carbonaro, A. Borg, S. Borg, M. Brincat, C. Camenzuli, M. Farrugia, I. Ginev (R. Deguara), C. Pace, A. Saliba, C. Sciberras (C. Sant), P. Vassallo (J. Borg)

Hamrun S: M. Falzon, M.A. Bonnici, P. Monye, A. Attard, Roderick Fenech (E. Briffa), S. Meilak, Ryan Fenech (K. Borg), R. Mangion, B. Timotic, G. Spiteri (D. Cucciardi), A. Effiong

Referee: A.M. Sant asst.refs: I. Spiteri, M. Debono 4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: A. Effiong, G. Spiteri

Yellow cards: A. Effiong, S. Meilak

Hamrun Spartans joined the other Premier League clubs in the second round of the U*BET FA Trophy as they overcame First Division side Mosta rather comfortably in the last match of the weekend.

A goal in each half was just enough for the Spartans against inferior opponents who were bereft of regular players David Theuma and Gilbert Martin and relied mostly on Carlos Camenzuli, ploughing a lone furrow in attack, to penetrate the Saprtans’ blanket defence.

Hamrun, who were at full strength, gave a start to Mark Anthony Bonnici in defence and played Timotic in an unusual advanced role to support Effiong and Meilak. Hamrun gradually confirmed their superior pace as the match unfolded, after a rather slow and scrappy start.

In fact play remained sterile for the first half hour with ideas often stifled as soon as both sides went past the halfway line and both goalkeepers remained mostly inoperative.

Then, on 36 minutes, we were presented with Hamrun’s goal. Ryan Fenech played the ball wide for Alfred Effiong to beat the advancing Mosta keeper Carbonaro with a neat lob.

The Spartans grew in confidence and although they did not create any clear cut chances, they threatened again with a Ryan Fenech shot to deserve their slender lead by halftime. Hamrun remained slightly the better side after the restart. On 50 minutes, Effiong played an intelligent through ball to Meilak who advanced well, beat the grounded keeper but his effort was blocked by Saliba.

Minutes later Ryan Fenech’s free kick from the right was headed by his brother Roderick over the bar.

Mosta effected a double substitution on 56 minutes, putting in Deguara and James Borg and on the hour, from a Steve Borg throw-in, Camenzuli’s header was saved by keeper Falzon.

But Mosta collapsed to concede Hamrun’s second goal on 64 minutes. Monye’s free kick set Mangion in motion and his cross from the right was well met by Gaetan Spiteri to shoot the ball in at the far post.

Mosta were forced to substitute the injured Sciberras soon after and Hamrun kept their firm grip on the proceedings, looking menacing with their crosses from the flanks. On one Meilak cross from the right, Adrian Borg anticipated Effiong to clear the danger.

Hamrun’s skipper Ryan Fenech was also stretchered off with a knee injury with ten minutes remaining but that had no effect on the end result, although the severity of his injury has still to be assessed.