Herrera's quick double sinks Spartans

Hamrun Spartans 2
Pietà Hotspurs 3

Pietà Hotspurs picked their first points of the season yesterday after coming from a goal down to beat neighbouring rivals Hamrun Spartans in an entertaining clash at the National Stadium.

The Spartans, buoyed by last week's 1-0 win over champions Marsaxlokk, had been tipped to carry their positive form into their meeting with the struggling Hotspurs. When Rupert Mangion put them ahead midway through the first half, they looked well poised to maintain their run.

However, the Hotspurs were in no mood to throw in the towel and a quick brace by Edward Herrera put them in the driving seat as the Spartans appeared unable to react.

Svetlan Kondev's penalty early in the second half all but put the match beyond the Spartans who were continuously frustrated by the solid defending of the Hotspurs.

Hamrun coach Marco Gerada yesterday confirmed the same team that started the match against Marsaxlokk.

Carmel Busuttil, the Pietà coach, welcomed back in the fray Pierre Aquilina, who missed the 1-0 defeat to Msida due to suspension. Carl Pulo and Dylan Kokavessis failed to recover from illness.

The Spartans started strongly and after only three minutes, Evano Briffa released Mangion who slid the ball past keeper Miguel Montfort but Pietà defender Ryan Camilleri raced back to clear the ball away for a corner.

Two minutes later, Alfred Effiong hit the ball past Montfort but the goal was annulled for offside.

The Nigerian forward was again through moments later but he was foiled by Rumen Galabov who hooked the ball away for a corner.

The Spartans' early pressure finally paid dividends on 30 minutes. Receiving a long cross from the right, Effiong nodded the ball towards Mangion who unleashed a powerful drive that gave Montfort no chance.

However, the Spartans' joy was short-lived as the Hotspurs restored parity three minutes later. Martin Deanov served Herrera whose low shot took a deflection off Roderick Fenech and flew past Hamrun goalkeeper Michael Falzon.

More misery was in store for the Spartans as, three minutes later, they found themselves a goal behind. Deanov sped past Precious Monye and his low cross was stabbed home by Herrera.

The Hotspurs were suddenly on top and Silvan Ciscaldi almost netted a third goal but his grounder flashed past the upright.

Three minutes from the break, Deanov looked odds-on to make it 3-1 when, from another break, he dribbled Falzon but his low shot was blocked by Roderick Fenech.

In first-half stoppage time, Falzon's long kick put Effiong through but the Nigerian's run was halted by the on-rushing Montfort.

After the interval, Gerada roped in Diego Cucciardi for Briffa to inject some flair into his team's attacking moves. However, the Spartans' task was made more difficult when, on 55 minutes, Deanov was floored by Ryan Fenech in the penalty area and referee Kevin Azzopardi immediately pointed to the spot.

Kondev stepped up for the kick and sent a low shot past Falzon. Hamrun's response produced a Ryan Fenech volley that was turned for a corner by Montfort. A minute later, the Pietà keeper did well to punch away Spiteri's shot as the Spartans tried to crawl back into contention.

Enjoying a two-goal advantage, Pietà were happy to sit back and control Hamrun's initiative.

Fifteen minutes from time, Spiteri almost gave the Spartans a lifeline when, collecting a pass from Ryan Fenech, he struck the ball towards goal but Montfort saved.

Hamrun's hopes appeared to have been revived nine minutes from time when, after a protracted move, Spiteri's shot was turned into the net by Ryan Fenech but the assistant referee flagged for offside. Things were not going the Spartans' way and a minute later, John Debattista's cross found substitute Stefan Sultana whose header hit the bar.

In injury time, the Spartans were reduced to 10 men, Ryan Fenech being red-card after lashing out at Pietà's Quilin Refalo.

Hamrun did manage to pull a goal back in the dying moments when Monye's free-kick found Spiteri who headed past Montfort.

Hamrun: M. Falzon-5.5, P. Monye-5.5, E. Briffa-5 ('46 D. Cucciardi-6), Roderick Fenech-6, S. Meilak-5, Ryan Fenech, J. Debattista-6, R. Mangion-6, B. Timotic-6 ('73 N. Galea), G. Spiteri-6.5, A. Effiong-5.5 ('66 S. Sultana-6).

Pietà: M. Montfort-6.5, P. Aquilina-6.5, P. Deliminkov-6.5, M. Deanov-7.5, S. Ciscaldi-6 ('64 C. Sammut-6), Q. Refalo-6.5 ('90 M. Vella), S. Kondev-6.5, D. Mifsud-6, E. Herrera-7, R. Camilleri-7.5, R. Galabov-7.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Scorers: Mangion 30; Herrera 33, 36; Kondev 55 pen.; Spiteri 90.

Yellow Cards: Ryan Fenech; Deliminkov; Roderick Fenech.

Red card: Ryan Fenech 90.

BoV Player of the Match: Martin Deanov (Pietà).