Hamrun Spartans defeated Valletta with a Dodo goal in the first half to notch the sixth successive win of the season, and go two points clear at the top as Birki‐ rakar dropped the first of the season after their draw against high flying Gudja United.

For Valletta this was the third successive defeat and the fourth successive match in which they faied to find the back of the net.

A lot of work still has to be done by coach Thane Micallef to put the Citizens back on track after a promising start to the season.

However not all is gloom for Valletta as yesterday they gave a very good account of themselves even though the Spartans were still the better team and fuly deserved their victory.

The goal that matterd came on 21 minutes when Corbalan apssed towards Jonny, who raced forward before passing to the unmarked Dodo who made no mistake in front of goal.

Valletta had a good reaction and a couple of good efforts with Eslit Sala’s drive going inches wide and with Bonello saving off Pena Beltre.

At the start of the second half Valletta were more aggressive but the Spartans now found more space in attack with Jonny and Dodo missing god opportu‐ nities.

hamrun pushed for a second goal and Jonny missed a great opportunity half way through the second half, with his effort going inches wide.

In the final minutes Mashike missed a siter for the Spartans from close range and in the dying seconds, a misunderstanding between Bonello and Steve Borg almost rewarded Valletta’s efforts but Akpoveta’s shot was somehow blocked by Bonello to hand the Spartans the sixth successive win of the season.

Photo Domenic Aquilina