Melita 1
Hamrun S. 3
Hamrun Spartans were back on the winning track yesterday beating Melita 3-1 scoring two goals in the second half.
The Amateurs had taken the lead in the first half, but the Spartans equalised through an own goal by Gribbon. Early in the second half, Calabretta put the Spartans in the lead and Terence Vella gave them the assurance they needed with a third goal in the 90th minute.The victory enabled Hamrun to move on to the six-point mark – it was their second win of the season.And it proved to be a source of consolation after last week’s 8-2 drubbing against the champions.
For Melita, it is obvious that they are lacking the experience needed in such a competition. In fact, I think they should have obtained a positive result yesterday for all their efforts. The first half proved to be very boring and apart from the two goals and a few other actions, there was nothing in particular of note.
Neither team seemed to be in command, even if Hamrun enjoyed territorial superiority.Their finishing, however, was very poor and Melita could defend calmly, only succumbing through an unlucky own goal.
Melita showed a few good ideas, but their inexperience in attack let them down – they should have scored one other goal, at least.
In the second half, Hamrun quickly went in front with a good goal, but
after that, the match followed the same pattern of the first half.
Melita struggled to create openings – they rarely did, in fact – as Hamrun defended well and with purpose.
And in their counter-attacks, the Spartans appeared to be more dangerous even if their finishing remained horrible.
After the early skirmishes, Bozhov tried his luck with a lob from 40 metres when seeing Melita goalie Sapiano out of place. But the shot did not have enough power and the goalie saved with ease.
On 11 minutes, it was Vitanov who tested Sapiano with a hard angled drive, but the goalie was not surprised.
Soon after, Terence Vella went round his direct opponent, but his final effort was saved by Sapiano.
Melita took the lead on their first real attack on the 17th minute. It was Julian Galea who set Luke Micallef beautifully and the latter advanced unhindered to beat Cassar.
On the 21st minute, Hamrun goalie Cassar had to rush out of his charge to clear the ball before Galea could cause further damage.
Melita went close to a second goal on 26 minutes through a fine inswinger from Rizzo which just missed the target.
Hamrun were back on level terms in the 28th minute. A Bozhov shot was unluckily turned into his own net by Gribbon.
Before the interval, Calabretta tested Sapiano with a fine effort, but the Melita goalie was equal to the task.
Soon after the start of the second half, Hamrun went 2-1 in front. It was Terence Vella who advanced unhindered, rounded goalie Sapiano and left the ball for Calabretta to hit it home.
In the 59th minute, from a Grima freekick,Vella headed wide. Soon after, Vella tested Sapiano with a grounder which the Melita goalie saved easily.
Six minutes later, from a Yoshev freekick, Bozhov saw his fine header gliding just wide with Sapiano beaten.
Melita’s lonely reply came in the 74th minute when substitute Batel tried a long distance shot which went just over.
The Amateurs missed a glorious opportunity to equalise on 79 minutes, when Armaro Negrin tried to lob over Cassar, but his effort was weak and easy prey for the Spartans’ goalie.
A few minutes later, Luke Micallef also missed another glaring chance for Melita when he hit wide from an ideal position.
Hamrun scored their third goal on the 90th minute. Vitanov, their best player, indulged in a solo action and then passed to the unmarked Vella who scored with ease.
Melita: M. Sapiano, R. Alminho (M. Batel), G. Gribbon, M. Martin (M. Valenzia), N. Rizzo (L. Sammut), H. L. Armaro Negrin, J. Galea, L. Micallef, E. Tufegdzic, K. Vella Petroni, J. Vukanic.
Hamrun S.: A. Cassar, D. Zerafa (D. Camilleri), M. Grima, T. Vella (A. Borg), G. Calabretta, A. Ivanov, R. Fenech, L. Vitanov, A. Yoshev, N. Bozhov (A. Vergilov), R. Brightwell.
Referee: P. Caruana
Asst refs: M. Scerri, L. Portelli
4th official: K. Azzopardi.
Scorers: L. Micallef, Gribbon own goal, G. Calabretta, T. Vella
Yellow cards: N. Rizzo, R. Fenech, T. Vella, G. Gribbon, K. Vella Petroni, A. Ivanov, J. Vukanic,
Player of the match: N. Bozhov.
TMI Top 3: 1. L. Vitanov; 2. G. Calabretta; 3. J. Galea
Attendance: 560.