Edgy Blues scrape past Spartans

Ħamrun Spartans 3
Meilak 13
Sultana 86 pen.
Timotic 89
Marsaxlokk 4
Sammut 25
Alcorse 35, 63
Madzar 76

Marsaxlokk reasserted their challenge for the runners-up spot yesterday when they resumed their winning ways with a 4-3 victory over Ħamrun.

Coming from back-to-back defeats, Marsaxlokk's main priority must have been to stop the rot and stay ahead of Sliema in the standings but Floriana's last-minute equaliser against Birkirkara on Thursday opened the way for the Blues to reclaim second spot.

The outgoing champions did what was expected of them but they made heavy weather of dismissing the challenge of Ħamrun. Having cancelled out Steve Meilak's early opener for the Spartans, Marsaxlokk looked to have sewn up the points when, with only five minutes of the game left, they enjoyed a three-goal cushion but the Spartans reeled off two late goals to strike fear into their opponents. Unfortunately for the underdogs, they had little time left to search for an equaliser.

Peter Pullicino received a first-team recall after seeing out his one-match ban in the 2-0 defeat to Birkirkara but Marsaxlokk coach Brian Talbot's resources were stretched by the absence of William Camenzuli, Steve Wellman, Gareth Sciberras and Charlò Magro, the latter because of suspension. Cleaven Frendo was an unused substitute for the Blues.

Sixth-placed Ħamrun were virtually at full strength, a good omen for the former Malta champions ahead of their much-awaited appearance in the FA Trophy semi-finals.

Marsaxlokk suffered an early shock as Ħamrun forged ahead after 13 minutes. Kevin Borg's cross found Meilak who glanced his header past Reuben Debono.

It took Marsaxlokk a while to get going but on 25 minutes they restored parity. Latching onto a pass from striker Julio Alcorse, Kevin Sammut darted through before sending a low shot past Sean Sullivan.

Sammut's equaliser had an uplifting effect on Marsaxlokk who were unlucky not to seize the lead on 33 minutes. Carlo Mamo's free-kick from the left flew towards the small box where Jamie Pace knelt to head the ball but his effort ricocheted off the bar. The loose ball fell to Malcom Licari but the latter skewed his shot.

Ħamrun sighed with relief but their reprieve was temporary as barely a minute later Marsaxlokk scored. Pace was the provider with a set-piece cross from the right and the unmarked Alcorse stroked the ball into the net.

Stefan Sultana, who replaced Gaetan Spiteri at the start of the second half, threatened to make an instant mark on the game when Borg's cross from the right found him at the far post but the veteran striker's shot was deflected away for a corner by Renato Conceicao.

Ħamrun spurned another chance to draw level when Meilak failed to make contact with the ball after Effiong's header had been deflected into his path.

The Spartans continued to pour forward but their growing optimism abated when a defensive mistake presented Marsaxlokk with a goal on a plate on 63 minutes. Neville Galea was unfortunate when his poor clearance was seized by Sammut who pulled clear of the Ħamrun defender and passed to Alcorse who poked the ball home.

The game was good as over as a contest when, on 76 minutes Alexandr Madzar drilled a low shot past Sullivan.

Alcorse then concluded a flowing move involving Sammut and Pace by firing a shot past Sullivan but the 'goal' was invalidated for offside.

Five minutes from time, Ħamrun had a penalty whistled in their favour after Shaun Tellus pulled Effiong down in the area. Sultana duly converted to reduce the deficit for Marco Gerada's team.

Hardly two minutes from Sultana's goal had passed when the Spartans bridged the gap even further as Timotic profited from a goalmouth melee to hammer home at the far post.

Ħamrun
S. Sullivan-5, P. Monye-6, K. Borg-6, Rod. Fenech-5, S. Meilak-6, Ryan Fenech-6.5, R. Mangion-5 ('46 D.A. Cucciardi), N. Galea-5, B. Timotic-6.5, G. Spiteri-4 ('46 S. Sultana), A. Effiong-6.5.

Marsaxlokk
R. Debono-5, C. Mamo-6.5, M. Licari-5.5, R. Conceicao-6.5, S. Tellus-5.5, P. Pullicino-5, T. Templeman-5, K. Sammut-7.5, J. Alcorse-7 ('88 M. Barbara), A. Madzar-6, J. Pace-6.5.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow card: Meilak.

BoV Playrer of the match: Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk).