Fresh from their successful run in the Uefa Conference League, Ħamrun Spartans finally kicked off their domestic campaign againt reigning Champions Hibernians. And they started with a bang grabbing the first three points following a tense match. A match which was dominated by Ħamrun but which was sealed deep into stoppage time with two goals scored by Elvis Mashike.

Ħamrun are a different preposition from the team that last year failed to reach the expected targets. During the close season they strengthened their squad with players like Luke Montebello and Ryan Camenzuli together with the return of Matthew Guillaumier. Apart from this they reshuffled their foreign players with new personnel joining their ranks.

On the other hand Hibernians also did well in Europe and after their early elimination from the Uefa Champions League, the Paolites made it to the third round of the Uefa Conference League.

In their first match Hibernians could only draw against Valletta and so were in search of a win against Ħamrun Spartans.

The Spartans went in search of an early goal and they found the net in the 6th minute. A Roka Prsa free-kick was perfectly headed by Emerson Marcelina who found the corner of the net.

Hibernians replied three minutes later when a low shot by Degabriele was turned onto a corner by Bonello.

Ħamrun doubled their lead on 21 minutes when Elvis Mashike won a ball in the midfield area and set Jonny whose diagonal shot from just inside the area beat Kone.

The Spartans kept on dictating matters and in the 27th minute they were unlucky when Dodo’s shot hit the crossbar. And seven minute from the break Jake Grech ventured forward and passed towards Degabriele only for the latters shot to sail well over the bar.

Ħamrun held the upper hand even in the second period and in the 71st minute Jonny made his way on the right flank but his final shot ended wide off the mark.

Hiberians came back into the equation three minutes later when they found the net through Degabriele.

Nearing the final stages of normal time Ħamrun went near on separate occassions. First Montebello hit the upright and later a Guillaumier headed missed the target.

Twenty minutes of added time were give due to the long stoppage when goalkeeper Bonello was injured. And during this time Ħamrun sealed the issue thanks to goals by Elvis Mashike in the 98th and 117th minute.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina