Marsaxlokk dent Ħamrun’s title hopes with commanding Top-Six victory

Marsaxlokk claimed their first win in the Top 6 in emphatic fashion as they brushed aside title-chasing Ħamrun Spartans 3-1, delivering a significant blow to the champions’ ambitions.

Fresh from a spirited but fruitless European outing against Shakhtar Donetsk, the Spartans struggled to find their rhythm against an organised and incisive Marsaxlokk side. The Southseasiders struck midway through the first half, doubled their advantage just before the interval, and then restored a two-goal cushion early in the second half to seal a deserved triumph.

Ħamrun coach Giacomo Modica rang the changes with an eye on Thursday’s UEFA Conference League trip to Shamrock Rovers, handing rare starts to Celio in goal as well as Sven Xerri, Shaisen Attard and Saliou Thioune. Marsaxlokk coach Enzo Potenza, meanwhile, opted for an attacking approach, starting Weder Silva and Ayom Majok.

The Spartans threatened early when Joseph Mbong headed just over from an Attard cross, but Marsaxlokk soon imposed themselves. Dodo tested Celio with a fierce drive before the breakthrough arrived on 19 minutes. A neat exchange saw Dodo release Juvhel Tsoumou inside the area, and the forward showed great composure to control, turn and slot past the Ħamrun goalkeeper.

Marsaxlokk decide matters in second half

Ħamrun almost hit back on 25 minutes when N’Dri Koffi burst down the right, only for his effort to be diverted for a corner by goalkeeper Mafoumbi. Marsaxlokk remained dangerous, and after Dodo wasted a promising opening, they struck again on the stroke of half-time. Tsoumou turned provider, feeding Majok, whose pass found Joseph Minala. The midfielder unleashed a rising effort from outside the area that beat Celio.

The Spartans found a lifeline deep into stoppage time when a partially cleared corner fell to Ante Coric, who teed up Koffi for a thunderous finish from the left to make it 2-1 at the break.

Any hopes of a comeback were effectively dashed early in the second half. Dodo rattled the upright six minutes after the restart, before Marsaxlokk made it 3-1 on 59 minutes. Leandro Aguirre’s corner was met by a towering header from Weder Silva, leaving Celio with no chance.

From that point on, Marsaxlokk managed the game with authority, limiting Ħamrun’s attacking threat and comfortably seeing out the contest to collect three valuable points.

The result lifts Marsaxlokk’s confidence in the Top 6, while Ħamrun are left to regroup after a sobering afternoon that dents their title push.