Hamrun’s summer spending spree is giving the desired results as the Spartans yesterday confirmed their potential with another brilliant performance.
After beating Sliema convincingly in their last outing, the Spartans outclassed outgoing champions Floriana with yet another great performance.
Hamrun can potentially end the year on top of the standings equal on points with the Wanderers if they beat Tarxien in their match next Wednesday.
Hamrun were the better team throughout the match, with the exception of the initial six minutes in which Floriana took the game in their hands with a blistering opening.
But Hamrun’s immediate reaction and the quick equaliser turned the balance in favour of the Spartans.
Marcelina and Matthew Guillaumier played a great match dominating the midfield sector, well aided on the flanks by Mbong and Corbalan.
Guillaumier then scored a great goal with a precise lob to crown a five-star performance.
In attack Soares and Sasere were a constant menace with both putting their names on the scorers’ sheet.
The Greens are a far cry from the team that won the title last season. The Greens are sorely missing the services of their midfield supremo Diego Venancio. Without him, the champions are struggling.
To add to their problems the Greens are lacking also in attack with Fonseca never putting a foot right and Keqi completely blotted out by Gojkovic.
The introduction of Cheveresan half way through the second half, improved matters for Floriana but it was too klittle to late for Potenza’ s side.
Now Floriana are almost out of the title race. Having already lost five games so far this season, practically half the matches played, defending the title is becoming very very difficult.
Floriana went on the rampage from the initial whistle with Bartolo making a great save off Keqi inside the first minute. On four minutes the Greens broke the deadlock when Arias’ cross from the left was met by Garcia completely unmarked in the Spartans’ penalty area, and his first timer gave Bartolo no chance to save.
But Hamrun made an immediate reaction and five minutes later they drew level with a great move between Guillaumier who passed towards Mbong who served Soares who darted forward to beat Akpan.
Hamrun now took complete control of the match with Floriana struggling. On 29 minutes Hamrun took the lead with a great goal. Guillaumier put through by Soares lobbed beautifully over Akpan.
Just before the break Soares again darted forward but his shot just missed the target.
In the second half Hamrun controlled the game as Floriana tried to increase their tempo in search of the equaliser.
However the Hamrun defence was never in danger as Floriana lacked ideas in the final meters.
The inclusion of Cheveresan gave the Greens some hope, but their best chance came from a Paiber freekick that was brilliantly saved by Bartolo.
Late in the game, the Spartans sealed the issue with a third goal when Sasere robbed the ball off Cini’s feet and passed towards Barbosa, who rounded Akpan and served Sasere, whose first shot was blocked by Ruiz but the rebound again came in Sasere’s way, who headed home.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina
