Late goals deny spirited Spartans

Hamrun Spartans 2
Valletta 2

Nothing seems to go right for Valletta nowadays. Their position in the table is testament to this. Yesterday, they could only pick a point from their clash against bottom-placed Hamrun Spartans - a result which keeps the Lilywhites at very mundane levels.

However, the game seemed to be heading Hamrun's way until almost 20 minutes from time. They were leading 2-0 then and harbouring aspirations for a first victory this season. Valletta seemed to be slipping on banana skins, never mind the brave goalkeeping of Daniel Dengaky who was voted MIA player of the match.

But the Spartans, too had reason to further convince themselves that this year they are afflicted by ill-luck, despite shortcomings on the field of play and administrative turmoil.

They could support this claim by the fact that they conceded two goals almost in as many minutes at a time when their ego was emerging, at least in spirited play.

Valletta, who had done the bulk of the attacking and had the more openings to their credit, could hardly believe there would be this sudden twist in the texture of the game, although in fairness sake their superior enterprise throughout was never in question.

In the end, they had to settle for a point which in the circumstances, left both teams with a bitter taste.

The early probings lacked cohesion as both teams looked nervy, sensing that the first priority was to provide cover at the back rather than forward-moving graft.

However, Valletta's shield was found wanted on a set-piece at the first time of asking. Bajada's pinpointed free-kick from the left found Gaetan Spiteri surprisingly enjoying ample space inside the goal area and more than enough time to prod the ball past a stunned Sean Sullivan.

The match was still young and the three-pronged Valletta attack could feel justified in hoping that the Spartans rearguard would wilt under pressure. The drive had to be supplemented by incisive finishing.

The returning Ivan Tonchev was on the point of unlocking the Reds' defence, but Dengaky thwarted him with two remarkably elastic save on forceful headers.

Graham Bencini and David Galea, tracking down Antoine Sacco and Tonchev, and Kevin Borg shadowing Gilbert Agius, never left anything to chance and that hardly gave the Lilywhites' hitmen any breathing space in the hot areas.

As Valletta's pressure gained impetus, their need to alter their attacking strategy became more evident. Wide balls to the flanks could possibly stretch the opposing trench and an opening could be carved.

A low cross-shot from Agius was too wide to bother Dengaky and out of reach of Tonchev. Earlier, the Spartans had a second go at the opposing target, but Stefan Sultana headed just wide on a Brincat cross from the right.

The second period could prove increasingly uneasy for Marinov's team unless they redressed the imbalance with an early goal. Dengaky again did well to tip a flag-kick from Agius. Bajada then scooped off the line following another set-piece.

It could have been more frustrating for the City team had Brincat found the target with an angled shot from the edge of the box. But, unluckily for the Spartans skilful youngster, the ball struck the bar before going dead.

Ivan Zammit had been brought in after the interval to add propulsion to Valletta's mechanism. But by now the spirited Spartans were looking more perky. By contrast, the Lilywhites' ship started listing particularly on the side of the stern.

It was not long before they were again submerged. A hopeful vertical ball was sent towards the energetic Spiteri. A moment of indecision by the advancing Sullivan and Beppe Pace turned to be fortuitous for the Reds' striker as the ball rolled into his path. He could then complete formalities.

The Hamrun fans sensed they could pull off a shock result.

They were looking confident but only until substitute Kurt Farrugia was judged on the assistant's signalling to have been illegally grounded inside the area. Theuma blasted in from the penalty spot to reduce the two-goal leeway.

Barely 90 seconds later the teams were level and the Spartans were dumfounded. Ivan Zammit set up the ball from the left towards Agius who slotted inside the goal area before flicking in.

Then Farrugia and Spiteri earned a dismissal for an off the ball incident.

Valletta roared for more now. Zammit's header flashed inches wide as the Reds' defence was pushed back. Soon the end came with Hamrun hanging on to a point.

Hamrun S.: D. Dengaky, J. Debattista, R. Bajada (Jos. Briffa), K. Borg (E. Briffa), M. Brincat, S. Sultana (Joh. Briffa), J. Magri Overend, N. Fasinelli, G. Spiteri, G. Bencini, D. Galea.

Valletta: S. Sullivan, J. Bondin, T. Simeonov, R. Forace (K. Farrugia), B. Pace (Ian Zammit), M. Penchev, D. Theuma, I. Tonchev, G. Agius, D. Debono, A. Sacco (Iv. Zammit).

Referee: J.R. Attard.

Scorers: Spiteri 11, 60; Theuma 68; Agius 70.

Yellow Cards: Fasinelli, Pace, Theuma.

Red Cards: Farrugia 79, Spiteri 79.

MIA Player of the match: Daniel Dengaky (Hamrun Spartans).