Gzira-Hamrun 0-2
Gzira U: M. Boerchio, R. Ledesma, G. Conti, A. Machedo Neto, J. Corbolan (J. Nwoba), A. White, J. Momodou, J. Bondin (Y. Tonna), Z. Scerri (J. Borg), S. Diamoutene, C. Calixto
Hamrun S: D. Cassar, P. Chircop, L. Sciberras, L. Rodrigues, J. Neto (M. Borg), M. Giusti (S. Nanapere), L. Motta (T. Cilia), L. Grech, J. Grech, S. Raphael, P. Teixeira
Referee: F. Zammit
Asst.refs: L. Portelli, P. Abela
4th official: G. Tonna
Scorers: J. Neto 58, J. Grech 85
Yellow cards: P. Texeira, Z. Scerri, S. Diamoutene, J. Nwoba, R. Calixto
Player of the match: J. Grech (Hamrun S)
TMI top 3: 1.L. Rodrigues 2. J. Grech 3. A. Machedo Neto
SILVIO VELLA
Hamrun Spartans won this battle of the two newly promoted sides by beating Gzira United with two second half goals to move in mid table.
The first half had been largely a featureless affair except for a couple of half chances for Hamrun. But the Spartans upped the tempo in the second and scored twice to secure the points against a Gzira side that looked scruffy and scrappy and with coach Darren Abdilla fighting a forlorn battle to bring some cohesion to their play.
This was Gzira’s sixth consecutive defeat as they remain with no win in eight league matches.
Both teams made changes to their line-ups from their previous defeats. Hamrun interim coach Jonathan Holland dropped Maldini, Mark Borg, Nanapere and Mifsud Triganza and gave starts to Luis Rodrigues, Jorge Neto, Massimiliano Giusti and Patrick Texeira.
Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Karl pulo did not feature in Gzira’s starting line-up and Andre White and Correa Calixto played instead.
For the opening minutes the teams looked so evenly matched it was hard to credit there was a difference of five points between them. Hamrun had shots from a distance from Jake Grech, Motta and Giusti but did not trouble Mauro Boerchio in the Gzira goal.
Gradually Hamrun were beginning to take control of the proceedings. Towards the half hour Jake Grech arrived fractionally late to Giusti’s low cross and Texeira severely tested keeper Boerchio for the first time with a powerful grounder whicj the goalkeeper held out at full stretch.
On 35 minutes Hamrun’s keeper David Cassar got injured as he clashed with Gzira’s Machedo Neto. Both players had to receive treatment and play was interrupted for about four minutes.
It was in the half’s added time that Gzira went clsosest to opening the score. A Conti deep cross from the left was slightly tipped by the Hamrun keeper with Ledesma allowed a free header which ended narrowly off target.
Hamrun started the second half like a team on a mission and after a Momodou effort for Gzira was cleared by Rodrigues, the Spartans forged ahead on 58 minutes. Motta advanced from the left and delivered a cross that cut the entire Gzira defence and fell to Jorge Neto who headed in from close range.
Gzira’s reaction was flacid. Hamrun pressed forward for a second reassuring goal. Jake Grech fluffed a good chance on 65 minutes ho ran through the Gzira defence but could not make contact to substitute Nanapere’s scross.
Texeira was likewise wasteful on 72 minutes as he met Jake Grech’s low pass but shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Gzira almost drew level three minutes later but Mamodou headed Calixto’s cross fractionally wide.
The Spartans made the points safe though five minutes from the end. Texeira played a ball forward to put Jake Grech through and the Hamrun captain made no mistake with a cool finish.
HIBERNIANS- 3
SLIEMA WANDERERS - 1
Hibernians: A. Hogg, R. Soares, M. Dias, J. Lima, B. Kristensen, A. Cohen (J. Mbong), J. Degabriele (R. Telles), T. Tabone Desira, J. Bezzina, Jorginho (D. Vella), A. Agius
Sliema W: G. Zammit, G. Muir (A. Tarlaziz), R. Vilas Boas, S. Biancardi, J. Mintoff (R. Spiteri), M. Muccardi, M. Scerri, M. Galin, P. Xuereb, J.P. Farrugia, D. Dos Santos
Referee: M. Degabriele
Asst.refs: D. Sultana, J. Spiteri
4th official: M. Spiteri
Scorers: J. Degabriele 15, D. Dos Santos 35 pen, Jorginho 76, J. Bezzina 88
Yellow cards: J. Lima, R. Soares, M. Scerri, D. Dos Santos, J. Mintoff, S. Biancardi
Red cards: J. Lima
Player of the match: D. Dos Santos (Sliema W)
TMI top 3: 1. D. Dos Santos 2. J. Bezzina 3. J. Degabriele
Attendance: 713
SILVIO VELLA
Although having Jackson Lima sent off soon after the hour, Hibernians showed they can cope with the heat of the battle. After surrendering a one-goal lead in the first half, they scored twice when playing with ten men to beat stubborn Sliema Wanderers and move at the top of the standings for at least 24 hours.
Yesterday’s showing was the perfect risposte to anyone thinking they may not be strong enough mentally as they stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches.
Hibernians had Jorginho back in the side but missed Clayton Failla who was not included in their squad and was replaced by Timmy Tabone Desira.
Following their defeat against Valletta, Sliema included Milos Galin in attack from the start as Tarlaziz was exiled to the bench.
Hibernians controlled the opening minutes and were one up by the quarter hour. Cohen played a short free kick intelligently low to free Jurgen Degabriele and beat keeper Zammit with an unerring shot.
If the Wanderers needed a wake up call, and a generally flat first quarter hour display suggested that they did, Denni provided it.
Three minutes later he tested Valletta keeper Hogg with a dipping free kick turned into a corner.
To their credit, Sliema did not lose their composure and Denni was always the player to pull them back into the game.
Past the half hour, Sliema were awarded a penalty when Muchardi was felled by Soares inside the Hibernians area and Denni Dos Santos scored from the spot to level matters.
The match became increasingly tense in the second period as both teams wanted to win.
Sliema keeper Zammit stretched himself to hold out a Kristensen free kick. On the other end Xuereb’s shot was repelled by Valletta keeper Hogg.
Towards the hour, Hibernians even hit the upright through a Bezzina erffort as Sliema were playing with ten men while the injured Scerri was receiving treatment on the touchline.
(Photos Domenic Aquilina)
At that juncture Hibernians were again holding the initiative but stubbon Sliema failed to buckle. The Wanderers forced a couple of corners and threatened with a Galin firm header.
The match took a twist in Sliema’s favour on 67 minutes. Hibernains had their influential midfielder Jackson Lima sent off for a second booking and immediately Joseph Mbong replaced Cohen.
The match became a little fractious in the final quarter. There was a clash of heads bewteen Dias and Farrugia and play was interrupted for some minutes.
Sliema’s mood was punctured on 76 minutes though when Hibernians regained the lead. Kristensen played a through pass to Jorginho who reached for the ball with his outstretched foot sliding it past the helpless keeper Zammit.
Once again Sliema faced a test of nerve and responded straight away with another wave of attacking. Farrugia tested keeper Hogg with a low drive.
The atmosphere was euphoric for Hibernians when they scored their third goal, with two minutes remaining, through their industrious midfielder Johan Bezzina, knocking the ball in from close range.
The game had entirely changed complexion and Sliema knew that their time was up.
Birkirkara 3
Tarxien R. 1
Birkirkara: M. Kopric, C. Bubalovic, G. Sciberras (M. Desira Buttigieg), M. Andelkovic (R. Muscat), S. Dimitrov, V. Plut, N. Vukanac, F. Temile, J. Zerafa, C. Attard, R. Scicluna (S. Bajada).
Tarxien R.: A.Cassar, J. Galea (D. Micallef), T. Caruana, D. Ponce, A. Nilsson, S. Prendes, D. Zerafa, A. Da Paixao Alves, M. Tabone, S. Borg, C. Frances (A. Agius).
Referee: E. Mangion.
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, T. Debono.
4th official: AM Sant.
Scorers: V. Plut pen., S. Dimitrov, M. Tabone og, T. Caruana.
Yellow cards: R. Scicluna, J. Galea, J. Zerafa, M. Tabone, S. Borg, S.Dimitrov
Player of the match: T. Caruana.
TMI Top 3: 1. . Dimitrov, 2. 7. T. Caruana; 3. M. Andelkovic.
Attendance: 522
Henry Brincat
Birkirkara yesterday returned to winning form as they beat Tarxien Rainbows 3-1 in a match which only came to life in the final 10 minutes.
The Stripes had been without a win in the last three matches – a defeat and just two draws.
But this victory has enabled them to join Valletta and Floriana on the 24-point mark with the Citizens having today’s match against Mosta in hand.
It was a hotly disputed penalty eight minutes from the end which paved the way for the Stripes’ victory.
From then on it was a different match as Birkirkara added two more goals to their tally for a flattering 3-1 scoreline (Tarxien scored a consolation goal just before the final whistle).
Tarxien had no coach on the bench and were under the charge of assistant Brian Testaferrata, who is their youth coach.
In the first half, mediocrity reigned supreme except for a few moments, especially from set pieces. In fact, it was only in added time that Birkirkara almost opened the score through Plut who was unlucky to hit the upright.
Otherwise, although the Stripes seemed to be technically superior to their opponents, it was obvious that they were finding difficulty in penetrating a well organised Tarxien defence whose aim was to keep the Birkirkara strikers far away from goalie Cassar.
The Rainbows also had their few moments, but they were found wanting up front so much so that they did not produce one single decent shot at goal. In actual fact, both sides were guilty of erratic passing which seemed to be the order of the day.
The second half was perhaps a little livelier, but Birkirkara attacked a lot more and created the best chances.
However, they were made to fight harder than expected by this Tarxien side which only went to pieces after that penalty goal.
The Rainbows fought every inch of the way and although mostly in defence, they closed all gaps until that penalty award which gave the opportunity to the Stripes to move ahead.
The match had a rather quiet start, but in the 9th minute, B’kara threatened seriously, first when from a Dimitrov cross, a Scicluna first timer was blocked to a corner by Caruana. From the corner, a melee ensued in front of the Tarxien goal with Frank Temile missing a good chance, hitting wide from three metres.
Tarxien replied four minutes later when from a Da Paixao Alves cross, it was Ponce who had a good shot blocked by Sciberras to corner.
At the other end, following a good move by Temile, it was Dimitrov who had a low shot well saved by Cassar.
The match fell into mediocrity with a lot of midfield play ensuing and with both sides rarely, if ever, testing the two goalkeepers.
But in the 38th minute, Dimitrov advanced on the left flank only for his dangerous cross being handled perfectly by the alert Andrea Cassar.
Moments later, at the other end, Frances had a distant shot easily saved by Birkirkara goalie Kopric.
In the 45th minute, Birkirkara were unlucky not to score when in a quick breakaway, Dimitrov set Plut in the area and the latter’s first timer hit the base of the upright with goalie Cassar completely beaten.
As the second half started, in the 50th minute, Birkirkara went close through a Dimitrov freekick which just missed the target.
Birkirkara maintained the initiative and after a Bajada freekick was punched out by goalie Cassar, it was Gareth Sciberras who fired a shot from the edge of the area which, however, went wide.
The very active Dimitrov again tried his luck for the Stripes with a shot from the edge of the area, but his shot went wide.
In the 73rd minute, it was defender Bubalovic who had a good effort going just wide.
In the 82nd minute, Birkirkara were awarded a penalty when ‘golden’ substitute Desira Buttigieg was deemed to have been floored by Tabone in the Tarxien area. Vito Plut brought a big sigh of relief for Birkirkara as he converted the penalty in style.
In the 87th minute, it was 2-0 as a Dimitrov freekick hit the Tarxien barrier with the ball being deviated to the other side of goalie Cassar.
As if it was not enough, the Stripes added a third in the 90th minute when Plut received a good ball from Temile, advanced into the area and his shot was unluckily deviated by Matthew Tabone into his own net.
It was not yet over as Tarxien still had the energy to at least score a consolation goal just before the final whistle – a beauty of a goal from Triston Caruana.
Floriana 4
St Andrews 1
Floriana: J. Haber, A. Scicluna, E. Pepe, E. Ruiz (S. Pisani), C. Borg, I. Varela, M. Vella, J. Pisani, A. Samb (G. Amadio), N. Chiesa (A.Cini), R. Camenzuli.
St Andrews: J. Galea, E. P. Beltre, BW Che, K. Kesinovic, M. Johnson, F. Udoh, G. Mackay (I. Paz), J. Farrugia, N. Belacevic, Z. Kastrevec (L. Grech), K. Nwoko (R. Darmanin).
Referee: C. Pisani,
Asst. Refs: C. Francalanza. C. Azzopardi.
4th official: T. Farrugia Cann.
Scorers: I. Varela 2, K. Kesinovic, N. Chiesa 2 one pen,
Yellow cards: M. Vella, M. Johnson, N. Chiesa, N. Belacevic, C. Borg, K. Kesinovic
Red cards: M. Johnson, K. Kesinovic.
Player of the match: N. Chiesa.
TMI Top 3: 1. N. Chiesa, 2. I. Varela, 3. E. Pepe
Henry Brincat
Floriana obtained a seventh successive positive result yesterday when they overcame a feeble challenge from nine-man St Andrews to emerge easy winners.
Floriana now have 24 points, the same as Valletta, who have today’s match against Mosta in hand.
On their part, the Saints remain on 14 points after having played 13 matches.
The Greens, on a six-match unbeaten run, had Fontanella missing. St Andrews were not missing any players, but their coach Danilo Doncic was not on the bench, but among the fans, after being slapped with a two-match ban.
In the first half, Floriana enjoyed the lion’s share of the exchanges and richly deserved their 3-1 lead having dominated from start to finish.
Their two-goal lead, however, only materialised near the end when they took the lead once again through a Chiesa penalty and then added a third goal just before the interval whistle.
Until suffering the penalty goal – albeit a somewhat harsh decision in my opinion - the Saints were giving the Greens a good run for their money. They were well organised at the back and despite Floriana’s continuous attacks, they never appeared to wilt under the pressure.
The Greens, however, were much more determined than their opponents who appeared to be unsettled after suffering an early goal.
In the second half, despite playing in 10 men (and later nine) due to the dismissal of Johnson (and Kesinovic), the Saints showed more determination at the start, but after missing a penalty from captain Farrugia, it was Floriana who took over once again adding another goal to their tally to make it a more resounding win.
The match became even more difficult for the Saints in the 82nd minute, when the official also showed a red card to Kesinovic, who thus left his team-mates ploughing on in just nine men.
Floriana quickly went out attack and in the 2nd minute, Chiesa set Amadou Samb on the edge of the area, but goalie Jake Galea rushed out of his charge to block the Floriana striker’s incursion.
Two minutes later, Floriana opened the score. It was Varela who beat Galea with a shot from just outside the area after a personal action.
In the 15th minute, it was again Samb, set by Vella, who tested goalie Galea, but the latter, just tipped to corner.
St Andrews equalised in the 19th minute. From a Joe Farrugia freekick, it was Kesinovic who flicked the ball past Haber. Jurgen Pisani tried to clear off the line, but he blasted the ball into his own net, probably when the ball had already crossed the line.
In the 28th minute, Farrugia went close for the Saints with a fine rising shot.
In the 40th minute, Floriana regained the lead when they were awarded a penalty for a handling infringement by Johnson in the Saints area on a Camenzuli shot. After Johnson was shown his second yellow card and was therefore dismissed, from the spot-kick Chiesa gave Galea no chance.
In added time, Floriana added another goal to their tally. From a Pepe cross from the right, it was Varela who headed in, the ball crossing the line before goalie Galea pushed it out. The referee convalidated the point on the flagging of the assistant.
As the second half started, the Saints almost pulled back a goal when an Nwoko angled shot hit the upright.
Moments later, they had a good chance to reduce the gap when they were awarded a penalty, most probably for a handling infringement during a melee in the Greens area. But captain Farrugia hit well over the bar from the spotkick.
In the 54th minute, it was Floriana who increased their lead. Amadou Samb went past his direct opponent on the left and crossed low for Chiesa to flick home from close in.
On 71 minutes, Nwoko tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his grounder was well saved by the diving Haber.
Ten minutes later, from a Paz freekick, it was Kastrevec who tested Haber with a good header, but the Floriana goalie turned to corner.
On the 82nd minute, St Andrews finished playing with 10 men as Kesinovic was also shown the way to the dressing room following a second yellow card.
But despite the handicap, they did not suffer further goals.