Hamrun S 1
Hibernians 1
After Valletta’s slip on Friday, Hibernians were looking for maximum points to move three points away from the champions. But the Paolites had to settle for a draw against determined understrength Hamrun Spartans on a wet afternoon at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. They had to fight back to erase Hamrun’s first half lead with Triston Caruana’s second half equaliser and salvage a point that puts them back as Premier League sole leaders. This was Hibernians’ only second draw of the season after seven straight wins.
Hamrun must take credit for a solid display, their defence very good at closing down whoever came belting out of midfield towards them. Massimo Grima, Gacesa and Matthew Gauci had a field day, holding out Hibernians’ breakouts from Luis Edison and Dias on the flank, as always very fast, precise and varied.
Hamrun were once again depleted by injuries and suspensions. Without regular keeper Omar Borg, central defender Roderick Fenech and striker Dene Shields all injured, Rupert Mangion and Gaetan Spiteri named among the substitutes, and Carlo Polli suspended, coach Jesmond Zammit fielded a reshuffled side. Massimo Grima played in central defence, with Luis Silva advanced in a crowded midfield, alongside David Camilleri, Daniel Zerafa, Ribeiro and Kevin Sammut. Toneto Porcari was Hamrun’s most advanced player.
Hibernians, still without Balbinot, Jonathan Pearson and Adrian Pulis not fully fit, retreated Failla on the left flank with Triston Caruana handed a start.
The Spartans were purposeful and determined and always menacing on thebreak.
They allowed their opponents little comfort on the ball. With the wet surface, because of the rain, and with Hamrun putting many men behind the ball, the Paolites’ uneasiness was palpable from the start.
Hamrun traded equal punches for the first 45 minutes, with the dangerous runs of Ribeiro and Sammut causing anxious moments to the Hibernians’ backline.
Hibernians poured shots by Failla, Caruana and Cohen from a distance at reserve keeper Cassar but the latter was only severely tested with a meaty Failla free kick after nine minutes, tipped over the bar into a corner.
The half’s only goal came from Hamrun on 39 minutes, although in a fortuitous manner.
Massimo Grima’s low cross shot from the left caught keeper Muscat by surprise as the ball travelled between an array of legs and into the far corner.
Hibernians took into the second half in more lively fashion and as they upped the tempo and showed more endeavour, they kept Hamrun on the backfoot. That lent the match more excitement.
Herrera’s shot was blocked, the ball ran loose to Edison, whose effort was turned into a corner by keeper Cassar.
On the other end, Grima, colossal in the Hamrun defence, stopped Edison’s progression and played the ball towards Sammut, who cut through the middle, putting his curling shot tantalisingly wide.
The Hamrun young custodian was kept busy, holding out a Failla diagonal rasping grounder on 52 minutes and three minutes later, Cohen played a corner from the left. The Hamrun clearance fell to Triston Caruana who unleashed an unstoppable shot at the roof of the net.
The goal seemed to suggest Hibernians had ridden the tide but, to their credit, Hamrun were not demorilised even after Dias had gone past two opponents from the left and his drilling shot was turned into a corner by the keeper on the hour.
On 67 minutes the Spartans again ventured into enemy territory. A Silva shot went slightly over and five minutes later they threatened with a Toneto Porcari header on a Camilleri free kick, which keeper Muscat stretched himself to save. Porcari put another header off target on a Grima cross after Soares had headed Failla’s free kick just over.
Hibernians put in Steve Pisani for Dias and they were calling the shots for the last ten minutes.
With the minutes ticking away, Kristensen thumped his header against the bar on Xuereb’s cross but Hamrun’s resilience earned them a merited point at the end.
Hamrun S A. Cassar, L. Silva (L. Agius), N. Gacesa, D. Camilleri, M. Grima, M. Gauci, K. Sammut, G. Calabretta, D. Zerafa, C. Toneto Porcari, A. Ribeiro (G. Spiteri)
Coach J. Zammit
Hibernians M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, A. Xuereb, E. Herrera, R. Soares, M. Dias (S. Pisani), A. Cohen, C. Failla, B. Kristensen, T. Caruana, L. Edison
Coach M. Miller
Referee M. Spiteri
Asst.refs K. Borg, C. Francalanza
4th official M. Borg
Scorers M. Grima 39, T. Caruana 55
Yellow cards L. Silva, M. Dias, A. Xuereb, R. Camilleri
Player of the match Massimo Grima (Hamrun S)
TMI top 3 1. M. Grima 2. M. Dias 3. C. Failla
Attendance 1,176