Hamrun S. 1

Rabat A. 1

A nail-biting finale characterised this match yesterday which ended in the sharing of the spoils.

For most of the time, it was a yawn-laden game with few chances on either side, but with four minutes to go, Hamrun went ahead through a Grima penalty. It seemed to be another late setback for the Ajax, but Smeir thought otherwise as he equalised with a splendid shot.

And it did not stop there as both sides had a chance each to snatch victory before the final whistle.

Hamrun coach Stefan Sultana retained the same starting formation as that which beat Melita last week, while Silvio Vella of Rabat made two changes bringing in experienced German midfielder Heiner Backhaus as well as Justin Felice. Clive Brincat and Patrick Borg were missing due to suspension.

In the first half, play was boring to say the least and neither side seemed to hold an edge.

Rabat, however, showed the better ideas with Backhaus in midfield and Azzopardi on the left flank proving to be quite a handful for the Hamrun defence.

On their part, Hamrun had little to show. Apart from never really testing Rabat goalie Azzopardi, they never managed to penetrate the Rabat rearguard.

In the second half, the match followed more or less the same pattern although the Spartans had a stronger start.

But Rabat also had their own few chances and missed one of the best, though very few, chances till the 85th minute. Then came those final minutes in which everything seemed to be happening at either end.

The match had a quiet start with both sides indulging in some midfield play which brought them nowhere near the two goalposts.

The first action worthy of note arrived on the 20th minute. Rabat were very unlucky not to take the lead when a Heiner Backhaus freekick hit the crossbar with Cassar beaten.

Hamrun’s reply arrived on the 38th minute when a Terence Vella shot hit the side rigging.

Just before the interval whistle, it was Rabat who missed a glaring chance through Adam Smeir, who lifted the ball well over the bar from an ideal position after a good cross from Dylan Falzon.

In the second half, Hamrun appeared to be more determined and on the 54th minute, it was again Terence Vella who tried his luck from outside the area, but his effort went just over.

Soon after, it was Yoshev who lifted his freekick well over the bar. And on the hour, it was Roderick Fenech who went near with a long distance shot.

On the 65th minute, Rabat went close through Smeir whose shot went just wide.

Rabat should have taken the lead on the 71st minute when Moral Fuster set substitute Astrauskas beautifully, but Hamrun goalie Cassar came to his side’s rescue by diving at his feet to avoid what appeared to be a certain goal.

In the 77th minute, Calabretta brought the best out of Rabat goalie Azzopardi while at the other end, Felice missed a good opportunity for Rabat after controlling the ball badly when advancing unhindered in the Hamrun area.

Hamrun took the lead four minutes from the end. A long cross into the Rabat area saw Terence Vella being brought down by Dylan Falzon. Referee Lautier showed no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot and Massimo Grima made no mistake from the spot kick.

The Spartans almost added a second on the 89th minute when a Vella shot hit Carapic and finished against the upright.

But it was Rabat who equalised with a splendid goal. Backhaus took a freekick and passed to Smeir, just outside the area. The latter let off a splendid first timer that had Cassar beaten all the way.

Soon after, at the other end, it was Azzopardi who saved the day for Rabat, turning to corner in style a fierce Grima shot from 20 metres.

It was not over yet. Just before the final whistle, Rabat almost snatched the three points, but a Backhaus free kick just missed the target.

Hamrun S.: A. Cassar, D. Zerafa, M. Grima, T. Vella, G. Calabretta (A. Borg), A. Ivanov, R. Fenech, L. Vitanov, A. Yoshev, N. Bozhov, R. Brightwell (R. Spiteri).

Rabat Ajax: J. Azzopardi, G. Gesualdi (S. Gauci), C. Schembri, I. Carapic, H. Backhaus, J. Felice (N. Astrauskas), A. Smeir, M. Moral Fuster (J. Caruana), D. Falzon, Y. Cauchi, D. Azzopardi.

Referee: C. Lautier.

Asst refs: I. Spiteri, A. Grech.

4th official: T. Farrugia Cann.

Scorers: M. Grima 86 , A.Smeir 90

Yellow cards: Y. Cauchi, A. Ivanov, N. Bozhov, H. Backhaus, T. Vella

Player of the match: H. Backhaus (Rabat)

TMI Top 3: 1. T. Vella, 2. I. Carapic, 3. H. Backhaus.