Ħamrun Spartans will play European football next season after winning a direct clash against Birkirkara by a solitary goal scored by Franklin Sasere in the first part of the match.

This match was considered as a decider for a place in next season’s Europa Conference League. The Spartans went into this match holding a point over their opponents though it was a must win for both sides in order to secure European football.

This loss that B’Kara will not be in Europe next season following Gzira’s win over Hibernians. If the Paolites or Floriana win the Izibet FA Trophy it will be the Maroons who will make it via fourth place classification.

For both teams this was their last match of the season since both Birkirkara and Ħamrun were eliminated from the Izibet FA Trophy.In the first round match the Stripes emerged victorious by the odd goal in three with the second round match ending in a goalless draw.

Birkirkara held possession in the initial stages but it was Ħamrun who went near in the 11th minute when off a Fedele cross Zammit was on hand to clear into a corner before Sasere could conclude. And a minute later a flick by El Bakhtaoui

Ħamrun took the lead on 14 minutes when off a Fedele cross from the left flank Pepe and Fernandes fumbled and there was Franklin Sasere who drafted the ball into an empty net.

The goal gave Ħamrun a physcological advantage and midway throught the first half a diagonal shot by El Bakhtaoui was saved by Fernandes. Eleven minutes from the change of ends Birkirkara went near when off a Ruiz cross Montebello’s header went inches wide.

On 40 minutes Ħamrun responded  when Fedele found Dodo whose cross found Sasere only for his header to just miss out. And in the 41st minute Fernandes once again came to his side’s rescue  when he blocked on Mbong following a pass by Fedele.

And in the 44th minute Fedele tested Fernandes with a close range shot which was turned into a corner by the Stripes custodian. On the stroke of half time Ħamrun could had doubled the score when Fedele with only Fernandes to beat saw his shot blocked by the Birkirkara goalkeeper and from the rebound his shot missed the target by a few inches.

Birkirkara started the second half on a  more positive tone and in the 52nd minute a free kick by Bonanni was headed by Ruiz but Bonello saved with ease.

And on 70 minutes a free kick by Ruiz was saved by Bonello. Seven minutes from the end of th match a Bonanni free kick was too central and Bonello had no problem to save. And in the 86th minute Nathan provided a cross which found Aguirre whose shot from an ideal position ended over the bar.

Till the end Ħamrun controlled well gaining what they worked for and leaving the Stripes in disappointment.

Photos Domenic Aquilina