ฤฆamrun Spartans returned to winning form with a solid display that saw them score once in each half to defeat Sliema Wanderers and close to within two points of Premier League leaders Gลผira United, whom they face on Tuesday.
Joseph Mbong and Damir Ceter were on target for the Spartans in a victory that was fully deserved after a dominant first half and a more resilient showing after the break. While Sliema improved significantly in the second period and posed a greater attacking threat, they were repeatedly denied by an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Celio.
The Malta champions controlled the opening stages, enjoying long spells of possession and restricting Sliemaโs attacking options. Their dominance was rewarded with their first clear opportunity, which resulted in the opening goal. Mbong delivered a teasing inswinging ball into the area that caught both the Sliema defence and goalkeeper Kelvin Agu off guard, bouncing straight into the net.
Sliema attempted to respond but struggled to break through a well-organised Spartans backline. At the other end, ฤฆamrun continued to press, with Shaisen Attard firing over from distance. Mbong then slipped in Attard with a clever pass, only for Thiago Espindola to intervene at the last moment. Shortly after, Attard released Damir Ceter inside the area, but the Colombian striker struck the upright with Agu beaten.
ฤฆamrun carried their momentum into the second half. Five minutes after the restart, Matias Garcia burst into the area and pulled the ball back for Ceter, whose effort was blocked. On the hour mark, Mbong again proved influential, setting up Ryan Camenzuli, whose low cross towards an unmarked Ceter was cleared just in time by Murillo.
Sliemaโs best spell came midway through the second half. On 68 minutes, substitute Mohammed Awadโs deflected shot looked destined for the net, but Celio reacted superbly to tip the ball over the bar. Moments later, Wescley outpaced Polito and caught Celio off his line, but his effort drifted narrowly wide.
ฤฆamrun briefly thought they had doubled their advantage when Garcia picked out Ceter at the far post and the striker headed home, only for the effort to be ruled out after the assistant referee judged the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.
As Sliema committed numbers forward in the closing stages, the Spartans sealed the result on the counter-attack. Ceter broke clear, turned past his marker, and calmly slotted past Agu to put the game beyond doubt and spark celebrations among the ฤฆamrun camp.
Despite a spirited second-half effort from Sliema, ฤฆamrunโs control, efficiency, and decisive moments proved the difference on the day.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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