M’Xlokk 0

Hamrun S. 1

Marsaxlokk: G. Zammit, M. Deanov, P. Pullicino (L. Grech), M. Licari, W. Camenzuli, C. Brincat, R. Galabov, R. Bajada (D. Carabott), D. Kokavessis (T. Templeman), E. Yanchev, F. Raimy

Hamrun S: I. Casha, M. Micallef, R. Fenech, M. Hrubsa, C. Camoin, L. Agius (M. Barbara), R. Mangion, G. Spiteri, M. Pereira, J.P. Mawete (M. Mifsud), I. Zammit

Referee: M. Borg Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, G. Barbara 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorer: G. Spiteri

Yellow cards: C. Brincat, G. Spiteri, M. Licari, M. Mifsud, L. Grech

A solitary goal scored by Gaetan Spiteri before halftime was enough for Hamrun Spartans to edge past First Division side Marsaxlokk and move into the quarter-finals of the U*BET FA Trophy.

There was hardly any difference between the two sides, who often stifled each other in midfield. Hamrun's lead put them in the driving seat and although Marsaxlokk had more of the possession in the second half, they failed to equate it into goals against a well organised Spartans defence.

In an evenly balanced first half, both sides carved enough chances to have at least scored a goal.

In the opening minutes, Hamrun had an Agius effort blocked and when the ball fell to Ian Zammit, he shot wide.

Zammit then went past Camenzuli on the right but his shot was ably saved by keeper Glenn Zammit.

Marsaxlokk started to claw their way into the match after Hamrun's early flurry. Past the quarter hour, Bajada ran down the left, passed the ball to Kokavessis, whose first timer was blocked.

On 24 minutes Pullicino's through pass to Kokavessis caught the Hamrun defence napping but the former Hamrun player was blocked by Hrubsa. And when Pullicino robbed Micallef of the ball, he shot feebly in the keeper's hands.

A Deanov corner from the right fell to Camenzuli, who shot over. And on the half hour, with Marsaxlokk holding the initiative, a Deanov deep cross from the right fell to Licri who ballooned his shot wide.

On the other end, Hamrun threatened on 34 minutes with a Camoin free kick which Spiteri shot against the upright and Mawete lofted the rebound.

But Hamrun reaped rewards three minutes before the break, again from a set piece. On a Camoin corner from the left, Gaetan Spiteri headed the ball in two attempts when challenged by Camenzuli on the goal line.

Play became chaotic in the second half. Hamrun defended their slim lead with minimal difficulty as Marsaxlokk remained much in second gear.

Before the hour, Marsaxlokk had made two substitutions. One was tactical as Leighton Grech went in for Pullicino. The second was forced after Trevor Templeman replaced the injured Kokavessis.

Even when Galabov was moved upfield to give his side more punch in attack, Marsaxlokk hardly troubled the Hamrun defence as they remained erratic in front of goal.

On 76 minutes, Galabov laid the ball to Raimy whose shot was blocked by Hrubsa.

In the dying minutes, a Deanov free kick from the right caused havoc in the Hamrun area and after a goalmouth scramble, finally Camenzuli shot over.

In added minutes, Marsaxlokk laid siege on their opponents but were denied by superlative defending from Hrubsa, Fenech and Mangion