Spartans held but party still on

Hamrun Spartans 1
Vittoriosa Stars 1

Hamrun Spartans were held to a 1-1 draw by Vittoriosa Stars in their last game of the season yesterday. However, they still celebrated their promotion to the Premier League in style.

In front of the biggest crowd of the season at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, captain Stefan Sultana was presented with the championship trophy by MFA president Joe Mifsud and the delirious fans soon got into party mood.

Vittoriosa had no pressure on them, having secured their place in Division One after winning promotion last season. In scorching heat, they played diligently all the way, preventing the Spartans from completing their campaign with a win.

The first half belonged to Hamrun but despite all their attacking play and possession, they hardly ever tested Vittoriosa keeper Ivan Cassar. Hamrun won numerous corners but could not produce any shots on goal.

Vittoriosa forged ahead in their first foray outside their half on 24 minutes. Ivan Zammit delivered a perfect cross from a free-kick and Robert Adami rose high to head the ball home.

The Spartans hit back immediately but Sultana and Steve Meilak failed to find a way through as veteran Zammit and Cedric Sciberras were outstanding for the Stars at the back.

Vittoriosa could have added a second goal on 35 minutes when a Donald Gatt shot from the right nearly deceived Michael Falzon in goal, taking a deflection and finishing inches wide.

The Spartans started the second 45 minutes on the attack, sending countless crosses into the Vittoriosa box. Then, on 57 minutes, a Sultana free-kick hit the Vittoriosa wall, the ball rolled Bratislav Timotic's way and he fired home the equaliser.

The hosts continued to push more men forward but were finding it difficult to penetrate the Stars' defensive lines.

On 90 minutes, the Spartans protested harshly for a penalty when Cassar and Meilak collided in trying to reach the ball first following a long pass into the box. The referee, however, ordered a foul in favour of the goalkeeper.

Hamrun: M. Falzon, B. Timotic, A. Attard (J. Debattista), E. Briffa, K. Borg (C. Cacciatolo), R. Fenech, S. Sultana, R. Mangion, N. Galea, S. Meilak, G. Spiteri (M. Mifsud).

Vittoriosa: I. Cassar, S. Calleja, R. Adami, I. Zammit, S. Privitelli, L. Scerri, E. Amaira, U. Anywanna, D. Gatt (T. Thomas), H. Hughes, C. Sciberras.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Ivan Zammit (Vittoriosa Stars).

Mqabba promoted after 2-1 win

Mqabba 2
St Patrick 1

Mqabba are back in the Premier League following a 13-year absence. After blowing away their promotion chances on numerous occasions, yesterday they beat St Patrick 2-1 to finish runners-up and earn promotion along with Hamrun Spartans.

Mqabba only needed a draw but everything hung in the balance after the Saints equalised in the second half. However, in the end, a Gilbert Scerri goal saw them through.

With a minute to go, Scerri, who started the season with St Patrick before moving to Mqabba, gained possession 40 metres out before beating a couple of defenders and blasting the ball in via the bar for the winner.

The game had started with Mqabba scoring an early goal to ease their nerves. From an Edric Borg cross, Nicolo Baldacchino chested the ball down, dribbled past his marker and shot past Franklin Azzopardi.

The Saints tried to hit back but Mqabba almost made it 2-0 midway through the half when Baldacchino's shot shaved the St Patrick woodwork.

With the Saints more focused on attack, Baldacchino was put through by John Paul Muscat but was denied by a fine Azzopardi save.

Five minutes after the restart, Mqabba were stunned when keeper Kris Calleja fumbled a Matthew Scerri cross and the ball finished inside his net.

Mqabba took several minutes to regroup before regaining control in midfield.

On 76 minutes Scerri released Martin Anastasi who ran through but shot wide from just inside the area.

Mqabba continued to press forward and on 76 minutes a Muscat drive was cleared in time by Matthew Fleri Soler. Then, Azzopardi made a superb save to stop Muscat's header.

With three minutes to go Mqabba had penalty claims turned down when Muscat went down after a challenge by goalkeeper Azzopardi. Then, on 90 minutes, came Scerri's super strike... Mqabba were home and dry.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Busuttil, J. Delia, M. Briffa, L. Galea, A. Ribic, N. Baldacchino, J.P. Muscat, M. Ana-stasi, C. Calleja, E. Borg (G. Scerri).

St Patrick: F. Azzopardi, R. Cassar, M. Zerafa (E. Saliba), M. Fleri Soler, S. Zerafa, K. Micallef (A. Caruana), S.C. Brazilino, S. Magro, M. Xerri, C. Micallef, K. Abela.

Referee: Joe Attard.

Man of the match: Gilbert Scerri (Mqabba).