Ħamrun Spartans won the first honour of the season 2024/25 when in the BOV Super Cup Final they defeated Sliema Wanderers by two goals to nil. It was a deserved win for Ħamrun where after a goaless first half the controlled the second half and dominated proceedings.
This was a face off between the two teams who won the major trophies last season; Ħamrun Spartans crowned as Champions and Sliema Wanderers winning the FA Trophy.
Incidentally the Spartans boast of a hundred per cent record in this competition. Prior to this match they had won the Super Cup six times with their opponents Sliema Wanderers winning it on three occassions.
From these six triumphs, two of them were against Sliema when in 1988 they won it by a solitary goal and a year later the match was decided following a penalty shoot out.
In the 360Sport Malta Premier Sliema are better positioned in the Top Six holding on to third place with their last match ending in a 1-1 against leaders Birkirkara. On the other hand the Spartans following a dismal start to the campaign, have gained momentum and are now in better form.
Both teams have already met twice this season with Sliema Wanderers winning the first round match by a 2-1 scoreline whereas in their more recent game the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
On 17 minutes a Jean Borg cross from the left flank found Plut who headed downwards towards Pisani but his shot sailed well over the bar. Ħamrun responded two minutes later through a Montebello shot which ended over the bar.
Midway through the first half Sliema were denied the opener when a shot from inside the area by Magri Overend was saved by Bonello. And on the half hour a fierce shot by Camenzuli from outside the area was saved by Emeka.
Ten minutes from the break Bonello was once again in the thick of action when following a swift counter break Plut set Magri Overend but his conlcusion was turned onto a corner by the Spartans goalkeeper.
And just before the break a shot on the turn by Lopes Silva was saved by Emeka.
On resumption Ħamrun were the first to venture forward and on 54 minutes Talison set Lopes Silva whose shot on the run hit the side rigging.
And Ħamrun drew first blood in the 63rd minute when credit to Luke Montebello who made his way past two Sliema players and passed towards the onrushing Lopes Silva who slotted the ball past Emeka.
Sliema replied on 66 minutes when an Awad shot just missed the target. In the 71st minute a Camenzuli acute free kick was tipped onto a corner by the Sliema custodian.
The Blues were dealt a severe blow eleven minutes from time when Murilo received a second booking and was given the marching orders following a foul on Lopes Silva.
With Ħamrun Spartans increasing their lead in the 81st minute when Talison squared towards Lopes Silva whose shot was partially saved by Emeka and in came Luke Montebello who drafted the ball into the net.
Nearing the end of the match Ħamrun could have added a third but a fierce Montebello shot was blocked onto a corner.