Marsaxlokk-Hamrun S. 2-1
Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, G. Sciberras, M. Deanov (K. Polidano), P. Pullicino (A. Spiteri), M. Licari, A. Effiong, R. Galabov, T. Templeman, D. Kokavessis (G. Caruana), R. Guerreiro - Coach: P. Curmi
Hamrun S: I. Casha, M.A. Bonnici, Roderick Fenech, M. Hrubsa, J. Vukanic, M. Grima, D. Camilleri, Ryan Fenech, M. Pereira (R. Mangion), P. Anizoba, G. Spiteri (L. Agius) - Coach: S. D’Amato
Referee: C. Lautier, Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, J. Camilleri; 4th official: A.M. Sant
Scorers: G. Spiteri 7, A. Effiong 79, 86
Yellow cards: M. Grima, Ryan Fenech, Roderick Fenech, R. Guerreiro, M.A. Bonnici
Player of the match: Ryan Fenech (Hamrun)
TMI top 3: 1. R. Galabov 2. M. Deanov 3. Ryan Fenech
Attendance: 1,365
Hamrun Spartans surrendered an early one-goal lead after showing too much profligacy in the second half to succumb to defeat with late goals against Marsaxlokk. They lost the chance of closing the gap on leaders Valletta and they have now pipped by the same Marsaxlokk for second place.
The match’s turning point was the clear scoring opportunity missed by Pereira early in the second half which could have given the Spartans a comfortable two-goal lead.
Marsaxlokk took heart from then on and, showing more vigour, they took a stranglehold in midfield, ensuring that Hamrun were reduced to ineffectual back tracking and remained mostly marooned at the back. In an astonishing climax, Marsaxlokk scored twice in the final ten minutes, courtesy of a brace by Alfred Effiong, to grab a victory that looked beyond them.
Marsaxlokk’s injuries, after the Valletta match, were not so serious as coach Curmi had feared at first. Only Clive Brincat could not make it against Hamrun. Curmi opted to drop Sciberras as central defender alongside Galabov and include Peter Pullicino in midfield.
Julio Alcorse was unavailable, serving a two-match ban.
Hamrun showed more attacking intent in the initial stages and were helped by an early lead after only seven minutes play. A Camilleri corner from the left was headed in by Gaetan Spiteri to put the Spartans in the driving seat.
The flow of play was rather disjointed with the ball kicked from one side to the other with little purpose although both sides created half chances at either end but both showed profligacy in front of goal.
On 23 minutes, Kokavessis laid the ball to Pullicino who shot narrowly over.
Hamrun missed even a better chance when on a Bonnici cross, the ball rolled to the unmarked Pereira who hit off target.
Past the half hour, Grima’s effort was blocked. Camilleri shot the loose ball slightly over.
Then Kokavessis lofted the ball inside the area on an Effiong cross before Ryan Fenech started his run from midfield, going past Pullicino, but his grounder was saved by the stretched keeper Gauci.
On the stroke of halftime, Templeman’s angled drive, brushed the foot of the post.
The Spartans fluffed a clear goal scoring opportunity seven minutes into the second half. Ryan Fenech weaved his way on the left and delivered a testing low cross from the byeline. Pereira somehow contrived to miss in front of a gaping goal, shooting straight on the keeper.
And after a Grima drilling shot from a distance whizzed over the post, Marsaxlokk laid siege on the Hamrun fort, forcing them to retreat deep and defend grimly.
Deanov and Guerreiro grew increasingly menacing with their runs on the flank. Deanov took possession inside area and his shot on the turn was turned into a corner by keeper Casha, who was kept busy, blocking Effiong on a Deanov cross as Galabov’s effort on the loose ball was deflected into a corner.
Suddenly Hamrun were back pedalling and the game shifted in Marsaxlokk’s favour.
On 79 minutes, Alfred Effiong connected well on Guerreiro’s cross from the left to head in Marsaxlokk’s deserved equaliser.
The Spartans looked rattled, unable to summon enough extra effort. A Deanov meaty free kick was saved by keeper Casha and the same player ran clear on the left on an Effiong long ball but Casha palmed away to thwart him.
The Hamrun keeper was rendered helpless four minutes from normal time as Galabov’s cross inside the area was not cleared by the vulnerable Hamrun defence and Alfred Effiong was allowed to shoot in from close range Marsaxlokk’s late winner.