Marsaxlokk survive tense finale

Hamrun Spartans 2
Marsaxlokk 3

Embroiled in a grim relegation fight, Hamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk came into their FA Trophy quarter-final meeting chasing victory not only to book a semi-final place but, perhaps more significantly, to pep up their flailing morale.

The last time these two sides met, Marsaxlokk surrendered a two-goal lead on the way to a 4-3 defeat but yesterday, Patrick Curmi's outfit avenged that upset.

Marsaxlokk were heading to an easy victory after surging to a three-goal lead by the 46th minute but the Spartans forced a late comeback to set up a tense finale after they twice reduced the deficit.

Hamrun pinned Marsaxlokk in their own half in the end but they ran out of time as the final whistle found the Blues still leading 3-2.

Experienced keeper Sean Sullivan was preferred to Ivan Casha. Brothers Ryan and Roderick Fenech also returned for the Spartans after suspension. Having been told last month that his services were no longer required, Argentine striker Julio Alcorse appeared to have patched up his differences with Marsaxlokk after being named among the subs.

Marsaxlokk had been second best in the initial exchanges but they stunned the Spartans with a goal in their first significant attack.

The Spartans defence was caught at sixes and sevens as Marcelo Pereira, latching on to a pass from Peter Pullicino, curled the ball beyond Sullivan's reach.

With their confidence enriched by a well-taken goal, Marsaxlokk began to press forward with more conviction.

After Rupert Mangion's free-kick flashed just over the bar, Marsaxlokk doubled their lead on 25 minutes.

Christian Cassar's delivery from a corner spread panic in the Spartans box. The ball fell to Dylan Kokavessis who hit a fierce drive in the corner of the net after taking a deflection.

The force was clearly with the Southerners now. Sullivan spared the Spartans further misery when leaping to his right to tip over Cassar's free-kick.

As the end of the first half drew closer, the Spartans produced a belated reaction. Malcolm Licari headed away Mangion's cross from a corner but the ball flew back to the Hamrun captain who lofted it back into the box where Diego Cucciardi headed over from an inviting position.

Any hopes the Spartans might have had of clawing their way back into contention were dashed within a minute of the start of the second half. Receiving a pass from Cassar, Kokavessis stunned Sullivan with a perfectly-hit looping shot from the distance.

Brimming with confidence, Marsaxlokk threatened to go four up when Brian Said headed Cassar's free-kick towards Licari but the latter's overhead kick sailed over.

Eleven minutes into the second half, Spiteri switched the ball to Comvalius who let fly a powerful drive that whistled past Debono and just wide of the far post.

Three goals down, the Spartans, now playing with three forwards, stirred in a bid to narrow the deficit. Comvalius delivered a good cross but Cucciardi headed wide.

Twelve minutes from time, the Spartans reduced the arrears, Comvalius converting a penalty after Mamo was adjudged to have fouled Mano Micallef in the box.

The Spartans took the game to Marsaxlokk in the final stages. They gained a lifeline when, with a minute to go, Spiteri rifled home after substitute Mauro Busuttil had headed the ball towards him from Comvalius's cross.

The Dutch striker should have made it 3-3 in stoppage time but fired over after the ball had ricocheted into his path following a series of missed attempts and half-clearances.

Hamrun Spartans
S. Sullivan, M.A. Bonnici, D.A. Cucciardi ('72 S. Sultana), Z. Levnaic, S. Comvalius, Roderick Fenech, Ryan Fenech, R. Mangion ('83 M. Busuttil), F. Anton ('68 J. Bondin), G. Spiteri, M. Micallef.

Marsaxlokk
R. Debono, M. Licari ('72 T. Templeman), C. Mamo, G. Sciberras, R. Conceicao, B. Said, K. Sammut, P. Pullicino, M. Pereira, D. Kokavessis ('77 J. Alcorse), C. Cassar.

Scorers: Comvalius 78 pen.; Spiteri 89 (HS); Pereira 15; Kokavessis 25, 46 (M)

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards: Pullicino; Sammut; Anton; Mangion; Cucciardi; Ryan Fenech; Levnaic; Pereira.