Spartans go top after hammering Mqabba

Hamrun Spartans 3Mqabba 0\nFor the first time this season there's a new team at the top of Division One. Yesterday, Mqabba were toppled off their perch by the highly-charged Hamrun Spartans. While the Spartans kept the same formation that had beaten...

Hamrun Spartans 3
Mqabba 0

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For the first time this season there's a new team at the top of Division One. Yesterday, Mqabba were toppled off their perch by the highly-charged Hamrun Spartans.

While the Spartans kept the same formation that had beaten Mosta 1-0 on Sunday, Mqabba made three changes from their last outing.

Marco Catania started the game for Claudio Calleja, Marlon Briffa replaced Edric Borg and Alex Ribic took Martin Anastasi's place.

Hamrun threatened first when on 13 minutes Steve Meilak sprinted inside the box before serving Gaetan Spiteri who miscued his shot.

Mqabba had a John Paul Muscat shot that was kept out by Michael Falzon. Five minutes later, a Briffa cross inside the Hamrun box was met by Matthew Cocks whose drive finished over the bar.

The Spartans missed a glorious opportunity on the half-hour when from a Rupert Mangion free-kick, Ryan Fenech headed wide from a good position. But seven minutes later, from another Mangion delivery, Spiteri rose high to head home.

Mqabba went close on 55 minutes when Cocks's shot was saved in style by Falzon. At the other end, Meilak was challenged by Kris Calleja as he entered the Mqabba box. A penalty was given amid heavy protests by Mqabba. Mangion made it 2-0.

Spiteri could have easily added a third but failed to capitalise on a defensive blunder and shot wide.

But the third goal duly arrived on 65 minutes. Spiteri zigzagged his way through before releasing Meilak who tapped inside an empty net to the delight of the numerous Spartans fans at the Hibs Ground.

Mqabba's woes were compounded five minutes from time when substitute Gilbert Scerri was sent off for dissent.

Hamrun: M. Falzon, B. Timotic, A. Attard, E. Briffa, K. Borg, Roderick Fenech, Ryan Fenech, R. Mangion, N. Galea (J. Debattista), S. Meilak (M. Vella), G. Spiteri (G. Bartolo).

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Catania, L. Galea, M. Bonnici (J. Delia), A. Ribic (E. Borg) A. Busuttil, M. Briffa, M. Cocks (G. Scerri), C. Camoin, J.P. Muscat, N. Baldacchino.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Man of the match: Gaetan Spiteri (Hamrun Spartans).

Division One KO QFs

Saturday: (Hibs Ground) 1.30 p.m.Vittoriosa vs Senglea; 3.30 p.m. St Patrick vs Qormi.

Sunday: (Hamrun Ground) 9 a.m. Mosta vs San Gwann; 11 a.m. Mqabba vs Tarxien.

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