Hamrun Spartans returned to winning ways when in a direct encounter against eternal rivals Valletta they managed to beat them by two first half goals. It was a deserved win for the Spartans who are now guaranteed first spot at the end of matchday six.
In their last match Hamnrun dropped their first points after being held by Sliema Wanderers.
Their opponents Valletta returned to winning ways in their last encounter against Marsaxlokk. This was the first match in charge for Vincenzo Potenza who thus started on a positive note. The Lillywhites had lost one match against Sliema Wanderers.
This was a much anticipated match given the rivalry between the two sides. Valletta. Hamrun have resurged to glory in recent years and have won two titles in the last three years. As for Valletta the last success dates back to season 2018/19 and are now in the process of rebuilding their squad.
Hamrun took an early lead when on four minutes they drew first blood. Montebello played the ball towards Camenzuli whose cross found Uros Duranovic with his header beating Galea.
Valletta’s reaction was an immediate one and two minutes later a headed effort by Enzo Ruiz was cleared off the line by Marcelina. Following a long stretch with play restricted to the midfield area and Valletta trying to break the opposing rearguard, in the 28th minute Hamrun countered and doubled their lead.
A good run by Mbong ended with his pass finding Jonny who from the edge of the area fired a shot into the corner of the net.
On the stroke of half time a free kick by Prestes Filho found Micallef whose diagonal shot from just inside the area was saved by Bonello. And a Paiber direct free kick just missed the target.
On the change of ends Valletta started brightly and on 48th minute a good run on the left flank by Prestes Filho with the Brazilian player being brought down in the area by Mbong. But from the resultant penalty Paiber failed to convert when his shot hit the crossbar.
A counter attack by Hamrun just past the hour ended with an acute shot by Montebello sailing over the bar.
Four minutes from the end of the match Mbong set Prsa whose shot hit the side rigging.
In the first minute of stoppage time Valletta reduced the gap when off a long cross from Gauci the ball was perfectly met by Federico Falcone whose header found the corner of the net. But the goal arrived too late for Valletta to mount a comeback.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina
