Hamrun S. 2
Marsaxlokk 4
Hamrun S: A. Cassar, J. Vukanic (S. Bonnici), A. Attard, R. Fenech, M. Grima, R. Mangion, L. Agius, N. Chipev, G. Spiteri (D. Kokavessis), M. Pereira, D. Falzon
Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, M. Licari (C. Brincat), C. Mamo, L. Lodetti, E. Yanchev (F. Raimy), T. Templemann, R. Galabov, G. Sciberras, G. Sciberras, M. Deanov, R. Darmanin, A. Effiong
Referee: C. Pisani Asst.refs: J. Camilleri, P. Apap 4th official: F. Zammit
Scorers: N. Chipev 21, R. Darmanin 42, 45, 56, A. Effiong 60, L. Agius 89
Yellow cards: M. Grima, D. Falzon
Player of the match: R. Darmanin (Marsaxlokk)
TMI top 3: 1. R. Darmanin 2. A. Effiong 3. C. Mamo
Attendance: 675
Marsaxlokk were back in the groove, beating Hamrun Spartans after a shaky start to keep themselves on course for a route in Europe. Forward Ryan Darmanin scored three of his side’s four goals to lift them in second place, one above Birkirkara and two above Floriana who play each other this afternoon.
The Spartans started well and even took an early lead but then fizzled out towards the end of the first half and in the second as they handed the initiative to their opponents, showing lack of effort perhaps understandable though not excusable.
Hamrun had keeper Borg, defenders Milovic and Camilleri, as well as forward Shields missing from the previous defeat against Tarxien Rainbows which practically put them out of the running, at the bottom of the Championship Pool. They had Roderick Fenech and Aaron Attard back in defence, although their backline struggled at times against the agility of Darmanin, Effiong and Deanov.
Marsaxlokk needed to shrug off an early setback though as the Spartans, who looked the better side in the opening minutes, forged ahead on 21 minutes. On Falzon’s corner from the right, Nikolai Chipev stooped low to beat keeper Gauci with a back header.
On 24 minutes Hamrun fluffed a chance to double their lead through Pereira, who beat his marker when put through by Grima but shot straight on keeper Cassar.
But, with halftime looming, Marsaxlokk jerked into shape. On 42 minutes, Deanov played a through ball to Ryan Darmanin to chip over the Hamrun keeper.
Marsaxlokk even went ahead in added time. Templeman played the ball forward to Sciberras who squared it for Ryan Darmanin to hit past the helpless Cassar.
The second half belonged entirely to Marsaxlokk who continued to bask in their superiority and scored two more goals.
Effiong went past two opponents with power and speed on the right but keeper Cassar held out his final shot.
On 56 minutes Effiong got the better of Grima inside the area on the left and crossed low for the unmarked Ryan Darmanin to tap in easily and notch his hat trick.
On the hour, Marsaxlokk even scored their fourth. With the Spartans’ defence at sixies and sevens, Alfred Effiong ran unhindered and hit low past the keeper.
On 64 minutes, Marsaxlokk were denied by the woodwork as Templemann’s shot on a Mamo cross rebounded off the upright.
On the other end, Spiteri lobbed over the bar after a Hamrun fast break, involving Pereira, who also fluffed another chance minutes later with only the keeper to beat.
With one minute remaining, Hamrun were awarded a penalty when substitute Bonnici was felled by Mamo inside the area. Lee Agius’ shot lacked enough power and keeper Gauci guessed the right direction to hold out, but could not hold for the Hamrun midfielder to head in a consolation goal from the rebound. But that served only for statistical purposes.