A dramatic finish to the much-awaited top of the table clash as the Spartans grabbed a winner when Prsa easily slotted home following a Kitanov defensive blunder. With thirty seconds to go a harmless looking cross was squandered by Kitanov with the ball going towards Montebello who headed towards Prsa who had the easiest of tasks, sending the Hamrun supporters in raptures.
This result is hard to swallow for the Greens, who arguably were the better team throughout the 90 minutes. In fact the Greens looked superior, created the better chances, even missing a penalty, but in the end they left the field empty handed.
It was a lost opportunity for Floriana who could have stretched their lead to six points, which would have been a very good deposit for the final outcome, but Prsa’s goal takes the title race to a new dimension with Floriana and Hamrun equal on points by the half way line.
Floriana had a golden opportunity on eleven minutes when Kemar Reid was floored by Steve Borg, with referee Barbara, very close to the incident, awarding the penalty. From the spot Arias’ effort was not irresistible but still Bonello dived to his left to make a great save.
It was not easy to play yesterday as the weather conditions were anything but ideal, but still despite their setback the Greens continued to dictate and Bonello was again instrumental to save the Spartans off an Owen Spiteri header.
On 35 minutes Kemar Reid had an effort from the edge of the area going wide and on the other end the Spartans’ first attempt from Duranovic with his shot just missing the target.
The pattern did not change much on the resumption with Floriana always holding the upper hand. On 68 minutes goalkeeper Kitanov fumbled a Joseph Mbong cross-shot but he managed to recover in time. This mishap repeated itself in stoppage time but the end result was completely different.
Steve Borg headed high a Bjelicic cross and Bonello again saved his side minutes later off a Kemar Reid drive. On 81 minutes Kitanov deflected against the crossbar a Montebello cross shot.
The match dragged on with both sides settled for a draw until the 93rd minute when Kitanov’s incident changed the result of the match and maybe that of the remainder of the season.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina
