Ħamrun Spartans registered their third successive victory in the VBET Malta Premier as they defeated Marsaxlokk 4-1 at the National Stadium, bringing the Southseasiders’ unbeaten run to an end.
The victory enabled Marco Amelia’s side to join Valletta, Floriana, Birkirkara and Mosta on ten points, just one behind leaders Marsaxlokk, although Valletta, Floriana and Mosta have a game in hand.
Marsaxlokk, who had won three and drawn two of their opening five matches, suffered their first defeat of the campaign as Ħamrun produced an impressive second-half performance to secure the three points.
The Spartans made a promising start and almost took the lead after ten minutes when Damir Ceter narrowly failed to connect with a cross from Ognjen Bjelicic.
Marsaxlokk responded two minutes later when Rasmus Linden had a low effort blocked by goalkeeper Gabriele Marchegiani.
Nikolai Muscat then struck the upright following a good move involving Linden and Dodo in the 13th minute.
Ħamrun broke the deadlock three minutes later when Ante Coric delivered a free-kick from the left. The ball was deflected into the path of Bjelicic, whose low effort from the right beat Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi.
Ryan Camenzuli went close to doubling Ħamrun’s advantage in the 28th minute, but his diagonal effort went wide.
Marsaxlokk managed to restore parity in first-half stoppage time when Leandro Aguirre’s corner struck Camenzuli and then Oualid El Hasni before ending up in the net.
The Southseasiders threatened early in the second half, with Marchegiani producing a fine save to deny Muscat five minutes after the restart.
At the other end, Mafoumbi was called into action two minutes later, keeping out a powerful effort from Matthew Guillaumier.
The turning point arrived in the 62nd minute when Ħamrun were awarded a penalty following an FVS review after Marcello Trotta was challenged by Enrico Pepe and Joseph Minala.
Substitute Lucas Villela made no mistake from the spot to restore the Spartans’ advantage.
Five minutes later, Ħamrun extended their lead when Camenzuli exchanged passes with Trotta before beating Mafoumbi with a shot from inside the penalty area.
Mafoumbi prevented further damage in the 78th minute when he saved a powerful long-range effort from Coric.
However, the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper was beaten again three minutes later when Trotta received a cross from Guillaumier, rounded a defender and fired home from the left to complete the 4-1 victory.
The result leaves the race for places in the Top Six wide open, with just one point separating the leading six teams.
VBET Malta Premier – Opening Round
Ħamrun Spartans 4 (Bjelicic 16, Villela 62 pen, Camenzuli 67, Trotta 81)
Marsaxlokk 1 (El Hasni 45+2)
Venue: National Stadium
Sports Editor
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