Spartans rediscover winning touch

Rabat Ajax 1
Smeir 49 pen
Ħamrun Spartans 3
Spiteri 39; Kokavessis 48; Agius 90

Steve D'Amato had a positive debut yesterday as the new Ħamrun Spartans coach led the Premier League side to their first win of the season when they edged past Rabat Ajax at the Centenary Stadium.

Goals from Gaetan Spiteri and Dylan Kokavessis put the Spartans on their way.

However, Adam Smeir's penalty soon after Ħamrun's second goal handed the Division One team a lifeline.

But, the Spartans took care not to fall in the same trap as happened to them so often this season when conceding the lead and calmly controlled their opponents for the rest of the second half until substitute Lee James Agius struck in time added on to seal victory.

D'Amato gave goalkeeper Ivan Casha his first start ahead of Michael Falzon who was on the bench.

Aaron Attard, Johnny Debattista and Alex Noronha were all out through injury with young Karl Magro retaining his place at right-back.

The Spartans made all the early running and after five minutes Manolito Micallef's stinging drive flashed past the upright with goalkeeper Jonathan Azzopardi beaten.

On 16 minutes the Spartans were awarded a penalty when Glenn Magri floored Rupert Mangion in the box and referee Alan Mario Sant immediately pointed to the spot. Ryan Fenech beat Azzopardi with a grounder but the referee ordered a re-take for encroachment. In his second attempt Fenech saw his central shot stopped by Azzopardi.

On 26 minutes, the Rabat goalkeeper again distinguished himself when he made a fine reflex save to keep out Manolito Micallef's header from a Steve Meilaq cross.

The Spartans' pressure was clearly taking its toll on Rabat and on 39 minutes Ħamrun finally forged ahead.

Ryan Fenech's dipping cross onto the far post found Meilaq unmarked. He nodded the ball into the path of Spiteri who easily stabbed the ball past Azzopardi.

In time added on, Spiteri should have doubled the Spartans' lead when he was ably picked by Kokavessis but the striker lacked power when heading the ball towards goal and Azzopardi had little difficulty to save.

The Spartans looked to have settled the match in their favour three minutes from the restart when Spiteri fed Kokavessis who unleashed a fierce low drive that flashed into the bottom corner of the Rabat net.

However, the Magpies re-opened the issue when Magro was judged to have fouled Glenn Magri in the area and Smeir beat Casha from the spot.

Rabat's goal brought about some anxiety in the Spartans players who were looking to avoid another collapse like the one against Msida in their last Premier League match.

Diego Cucciardi, who came on for Meilaq, should have killed off the match ten minutes from time when he headed wide from a good position. Two minutes later Ryan Fenech's dipping shot surprised Azzopardi but the ball flew just over.

Rabat's hopes were dealt a blow three minutes from time when Jonathan Bezzina was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

With an extra man on the pitch the Spartans were able to retain possession and went on to seal qualification in stoppage time.

Substitute Lee James Agius, who had just replaced Kokavessis, ran to a Spiteri cross and the 17-year-old buried the ball home with an excellent volley.

Rabat Ajax
J. Azzopardi, J. Bezzina, J. Tonna, J. Caruana ('56 C. Schembri), A. Mifsud ('18 K. Said), A. Smeir, M. Micallef, G. Magri, E. Muscat, L. Micallef, E. Azzopardi.

Ħamrun Spartans
I. Casha, Z. Levnaic, Rod. Fenech, S. Meilaq ('67 D.A. Cucciardi), Ryan Fenech, R. Mangion, K. Magro, N. Galea, G. Spiteri, D. Kokavessis ('90 L.J. Agius), M. Micallef.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Bezzina, Michael Micallef, L. Micallef, D. Falzon, Rod. Fenech, Ryan Fenech.

Red card: Bezzina (R) 87.

Missed penalty: Ryan Fenech (Ħ) 16.