For all the torpor that has settled over Marsaxlokk recently, they showed fighting spirit yesterday and tucked off a resounding win in an enthralling match that produced eight goals and plenty of entertainment.

Without a coach, Marsaxlokk had Malcolm Licari directing the proceedings from the bench until he went in as a late substitute.

Hamrun had Carlo Polli and Dene Shields back in their starting line-up, with Porcari and Silva, as well as Gaetan Spiteri named among the substitutes. Omar Borg also sat on the bench with Andrea Cassar again playing in the Hamrun goal.

The Spartans, who only looked a pale shadow of the side which held Hibernians to a draw, were outclassed, but also outfought as they surrendered to a competent Marsaxlokk in the first half. They did produce a late flurry, but their huffing and puffing was in hope rather than expectation.

Marsaxlokk surprised their opponents with an enterprising start in an eventful first half that produced no less than five goals and plenty of action.

Nigerian Obiefule was the central figure, hitting three goals within 15 minutes to take his tally to ten league goals and give his side a three-goal lead by the half hour. Campagnoli, who also gave a sterling contribution in midfield scored another, with Lattes scoring a fifth in the second half as Marsaxlokk kept their opponents at arms’ length.

On 11 minutes, Obiefule picked Deanov’s pass and tested keeper Cassar with a low drive before seven minutes later the same Marsaxlokk player surprised the Hamrun custodian with his shot at the top corner after he picked Eboh’s pass and avoiding an opponent.

On 25 minutes Cassar stretched himself to hold out Obiefule’s shot and on the half hour Obiefule again cut towards the middle and his dipping shot was tipped over the bar into a corner by the keeper. From the ensuing Deanov corner, Obiefule headed in his second goal.

Hamrun fell further behind on 33 minutes. Grima made contact with Obiefule as he ran inside the area and conceded a penalty which Obiefule tucked away to notch a hat-trick.

On minute before the break, Campagnoli went past Gacesa, Grima and Calabretta with alarming ease and scored Marsaxlokk’s fourth with a low diagonal strike.

Hamrun, who had been mostly bystanders, excluded from the festivities and only threatened with a couple of Grima free kicks, pulled one back in the half’s added time, courtesy of a Masimo Grima, hitting his direct free kick with splendid power, from the edge of the Marsaxlokk area, pivoting the ball at the top corner. That however failed to lift the spirits of their disgruntled fans.

The second half was equally entertaining for neutrals. Keeper Gauci was kept busy to hold out efforts by Grima and Shields.

On 55 minutes, the referee Pisani was substituted with Mario Apap after pulling a muscle.

Marsaxlokk remained dangerous on the break. Deanov’s cross shot from the right failed to find support and was cleared into a corner.

On 71 minutes, Lattes robbed Gauci of possession, advanced from the right and scored Marsaxlokk’s fifth goal as they looked cruising to a comfortable win.

But Hamrun tried to capitalise on Marsaxlokk’s late weariness and rallied to pull back two goals before the end. Grima was denied by the woodwork and on 84 minutes Denni Shields went inside the Marsaxlokk area and beat keeper Gauci at the top corner.

Two minutes later, the Marsaxlokk keeper was beaten again by Massimo Grima’s long range shot as the Spartans reduced the arrears and upped their efforts.

There was still drama in six minutes of added time. Shields’ low drive ended narrowly wide and substitute Agius clipped the post with his shot as Marsaxlokk held on in chaotic circumstances.

On the other end, Caruana almost added his name on the scorers’ sheet but was foiled by keeper Cassar as the final whistle brought an end to all the drama.