Rabat Ajax 1
Hamrun S. 2
Rabat: S. Mintoff, G. Gesualdi, I. Carapic, J. Caruana, M. Licari (W. Borg), JL Armaro Negrin, M. Moral Fuster, C. Brincat, D. Carrillo Pendas, D. Azzopardi, C. Gauci.
Hamrun S. A. Curmi, G. Azzopardi, A. Borg, G. Bledjon, M. Grima, D. Camilleri, G. Favero, L. Lumbilla Kandja, T. Vella (L. Grech), E. Lattes, R. Spiteri (D. Zerafa).
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann
Asst refs:M. Scerri, A. Borg Cardona
4th official: C. Lautier
Scorers: M. Licari, A. Borg, D. Camilleri
Yellow cards: G. Favero, C. Brincat, T. Vella, J. Caruana,
Player of the match: C. Carrillo Pendas
TMI Top 3: 1. D. Carrillo Pendas; 2. D. Camilleri; 3. M. Moral Fuster.
Attendance: 300
Veteran midfielder David Camilleri became a Hamrun hero yesterday evening as he scored the winner a few minutes from the end to give the Spartans fresh hopes in their efforts to avoid relegation.
The precious three points have lifted them on to 11 points, two above the same Rabat and four over bottom placed Melita.
And although it is still early, one can safely say that this win will certainly boost Hamrun’s hopes. It arrived after a negative series of five defeats.
Hamrun had a good start as they took the initiative from the very first whistle, but they failed to penetrate as they could not find a way past a well organised Rabat defence.
The Spartans attacked more than the Magpies, but it was the latter who created the best opportunities.
And it was no surprise that they finally took the lead on the 40th minute. In the circumstances, they deserved the lead.
Rabat were very solid at the back and very swift in midfield and attack where Moral Fuster and Carrillo were providing telling passes to Negrin and Licari.
In the second half, with the wind at their backs, Hamrun played with more determination with Camilleri and Grima inspiring their younger team-mates. Their efforts first brought them an equaliser and then the winner on the 86th minute.
Rabat appeared happy to defend their slender lead, but when Hamrun finally equalised, the Mapies became vulnerable at the back, eventually suffering another goal which proved to be Hamrun’s winner.
On eight minutes, Rabat almost opened the scoring. From a cross, Guga Bledjon headed back badly to Curmi. Licari stepped in only to see his shot blocked by the grounded Curmi. The ball rolled out to Moral Fuster who also had his effort blocked.
Five minutes later, from a Licari fine pass, Armaro Negrin came face to face with Curmi, but the Hamrun goalie blocked miraculously.
On the 23rd minute, from a Carrillo Pendas corner, a Licari header was cleared off the line by Grima.
On the 33rd minute, Rabat again threatened through Moral Fuster who went past two defenders only to see his effort being blocked by Grima.
Hamrun’s first effort towards goal came from Lattes on the 39th minute, but the ball went well over the bar.
Soon after, Rabat opened the scoring. From a Carrillo Pendas cross, Malcolm Licari headed past Curmi to the delight of the few Rabat fans.
Hamrun came out on attack in the second half and almost equalised in the third minute. Off a Terence Vella cross, Lumbilla Kandja anticipated Mintoff, but his header went over the bar. And on the 52nd minute, a Terence Vella shot glanced over the crossbar.
At the other end, Gauci insisted on a personal move on the byeline. He then squared the ball for Negrin whose shot was blocked in extremis.
Rabat were unlucky not to add a second goal on 57 minutes when from a Carrillo Pendas cross, Negrin saw his header hitting the upright.
On the hour, Terence Vella had a low shot saved by the diving Mintoff. Soon after, it was Mintoff who saved the Rabat fort as he turned to corner a Lumbilla effort after the latter had rounded a defender in the Rabat area.
Hamrun equalised on the 68th minute. From a David Camilleri corner, the ball was scrambled out to Adrian Borg who fired into the net past a forest of feet.
Soon after, at the other end, it was Fuster who went close for Rabat who had his shot going just over the bar.
Hamrun scored their winner on the 86th minute. It came direct from a cornerkick taken by veteran David Camilleri.
Rabat went close to an equaliser soon after when off a Gesualdi freekick, Wayne Borg headed down for Carrillo Pendas to see his effort just missing the target.