HAMRUN S. 2

QORMI 1

Hamrun Spartans keep grinding out results without convincing with their play. For long spells yesterday, they were a distant second best in all aspects against Qormi, down to ten men shortly after the half hour, although they finally still managed to clinch full points.

A debateable penalty in their favour was the game’s turning point as Hamrun doubled their early lead and could hold on to it despite the fact that Qormi pulled one back before the break and they had to absorb much of their opponents’ pressure in the second half.

Qormi may feel aggrieved with the result for all the effort they put into this game, and remained the better team even after they had defender Jonathan Bondin sent off in what looked a hard decision after the penalty incident.

Hamrun were forced to change their two central defenders because of suspensions to Martin Hrubsa and Roderick Fenech. Massimo Grima and Steve Bonnici filled those roles.

Lee Agius and Peter Anizoba were given starts in Hamrun’s 4-3-3 formation.

Buoyed by their win against Marsaxlokk and strengthened by the return of Bello Osagie, Qormi went about their work with renewed belief in the opening minutes and were it not for some superlative goalkeeping from Omar Borg, Qormi could have been two or three goals up before the match was half an hour old.

Bartolo chased a long ball by Joseph Farrugia, went inside the Hamrun area but keeper Borg footed out his goalbound effort.

Towards the quarter hour, Borg tipped the ball over the bar, on a Bartolo cross shot, before Osagie could connect. And on 21 minutes Bartolo played a through ball to Chetcuti. Keeper Borg rushed off his line to smother the danger.

Hamrun’s first threat came after 23 minutes. Perreira played the ball wide to Anizoba whose shot was turned into a corner by keeper Matthew Farrugia.

A Kang effort from a distance, narrowly missed the target.

Hamrun though took the lead against the run of play on 28 minutes. Bonnici played the ball from midfield for Pereira to heel the ball towards the unmarked Gaetan Spiteri who did well to shoot low past the grounded keeper.

Qormi’s quick response came from Osagie who again forced keeper Borg into a one-handed save, although the Qormi striker looked short of optimum sharpness.

Just past the half hour, a debateable penalty incident brought about Jonathan Bondin’s dismissal after the Qormi defender was adjudged to have tripped Spiteri on his way inside the Qormi area. Ryan Fenech tucked away the penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Incidentally, Qormi were still dangerous with a man down. With halftime looming, from a Frendo corner, Vandelnoite’s header was tipped over by keeper Borg.

Osagie was injured and forced to be substituted by George Mallia.

And in the half’s added time, a Hamrun defensive lapse allowed Qormi to pull one back. Vukanic tried to clear on a Farrugia long cross inside the area, the ball fell into the path of Joseph Chetcuti who slotted the ball past the keeper.

Too willing to sit back, Hamrun failed to exploit their numerical superiority and had to absorb much pressure from their opponents after the restart. Their defence looked utterly uncomfortable as Qormi re-emerged with great vigour and laid siege on their fort.

Within two minutes past the hour, the Spartans substituted two defenders, pulling off Vukanic and Grima and put in Aaron Attard and Mead Mifsud as Camilleri dropped as centre back.

That mitigated some of the danger, although on 70 minutes, Mallia went in from the right. His shot was parried by keeper Borg.

Throwing everything forward, Qormi left gaps at the back but Hamrun twice failed to take advantage. Pereira shot wide after running inside the Qormi half and then substitute Mifsud advanced down the right flank on Spiteri’s pass but keeper Farrugia saved his shot.

Hamrun S O. Borg, M.A. Bonnici, J. Vukanic (A. Attard), D. Camilleri, S. Bonnici, M. Grima (M. Mifsud), L. Agius, M. Pereira, Ryan Fenech, G. Spiteri, P. Anizoba

Coach S. D’Amato

Qormi M. Farrugia, J. Vandelnoite, S. Giglio, M. Bartolo (B. Camilleri), K. Fenech (R. Sammut), J. Chetcuti, J. Farrugia, A. Bello Osagie (G. Mallia), J. Bondin, C. Frendo, H. Kang

Coach S. Azzopardi

Referee A. Arciola

Asst.refs I. Spiteri, E. Spiteri

4th official M. Borg

Scorers G. Spiteri 28, Ryan Fenech 32 (pen), J. Chetcuti 45

Yellow cards S. Giglio, D. Camilleri, L. Agius, O. Borg

Red card J. Bondin

Player of the match O. Borg (Hamrun S)

TMI top 3 1. O. Borg 2. J. Vandelnoit 3. M. Bartolo