After two consecutive defeats, Marsaxlokk were back in the groove yesterday, capitalizing on Birkirkara’s slip on Thursday to climb to second place with one match remaining.

Inspired by the scintillating form of their midfielder Kevin Sammut, Marsaxlokk easily disposed of Hamrun Spartans after shrugging off an early setback and surviving a late scare.

In truth, Hamrun played some good football in a tight first half but once Mrsaxlokk began to employ a sophisticated passing game which allowed Julio Alcorse to terrorise Hamrun’s slow defence, there was only one outcome, despite Hamrun’s late rally which brought them two goals in last five minutes.

Both teams were at full strength, although Marsaxlokk had Cleaven Frendo on the bench and Hamrun were without Debattista and Attard. Both went into the game with attacking intentions and that lent the game an entertaining first half, producing some flowing football and three goals.

Steve Meilak, showing remarkable improvement in his form of late, headed Hamrun in front towards the quarter hour, making the best of Borg’s cross from the right.

Midway through the half, Marsaxlokk drew level. Kevin Sammut nipped through the Hamrun defence on Madzar’s pass to beat keeper Sullivan from close range.

Marsaxlokk gradually were finding pace and rhythm. Pace headed Mamo’s free kick against the bar on 36 minutes and a minute later another Pace deep cross from the right fell to the unmolested Julio Alcorse inside the Hamrun area to beat the goalkeeper with curling shot.

To their credit, Hamrun were not demorilised and before halftime went close with a Ryan Fenech drilling free kick which went slightly wide of the post.

Hamrun put in Sultana and Cucciardi for the second half, but Marsaxlokk looked determined to retain their grip on the game. Sullivan saved Madar’s header. On the other end Sultana’s shot was blocked by Conceicao.

On 65 minutes Julio Alcorse ran in well for Sammut’s cross and beat Sullivan with a low drive. Marsaxlokk, extremely menacing on the break, scored their fourth with a quarter hour remaining, Aleksandar Madzar finishing off another choral move by the dethroned champions.

After missing further opportunities through Alcorse, Marsaxlokk might have eased psychologically to the point of conceding two late goals in quick succession in the final five minutes. Hamrun rallied when first awarded a penalty, after Effiong was floored by Tellus, ably converted by Stefan Sultana and then reduced the deficit further with a close range shot from Bratislav Timotic on Effiong’s pass. But that was little too late to deny Marsaxlokk a win.

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Hamrun S: S. Sullivan, P. Monye, K. Borg, Roderick Fenech, S. Meilak, Ryan Fenech, R. Mangion (D.Cucciardi) N. Galea, B. Timotic, G. Spiteri (S. Sultana), A. Effiong

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, C. Mamo, M. Licari, R. Conceicao, S. Tellus, P. Pullicino, T. Templeman, K. Sammut, J. Alcorse (M. Barbara), A. Madzar, J. Pace

Referee: P. Caruana asst.refs: E. Spiteri, G. Tonna 4th official: K. Azzopopardi

Scorers: S. Meilak, K. Sammut, J. Alcorse (2), A. Madzar, S. Sultana pen, B. Timotic

Yellow cards: S.Meilak, D. Cucciardi

Player of the match: Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top three: 1 K. Sammut 2. J. Alcorse 3. Ryan Fenech