Quick goals drive Spartans past 10-man Qormi in derby

Ħamrun Spartans 2
Spiteri 28; Fenech 30 pen.;
Qormi 1
Chetcuti 45;

Ħamrun Spartans bolstered their Championship Pool chances after seeing off the stern challenge of Qormi in yesterday’s derby.

Quick goals from Gaetan Spiteri and Ryan Fenech, from a penalty, paved the way for the Spartans’ crucial victory over a Qormi team who, despite having to play for more than an hour with a man less, still gave their opponents a rough ride.

Qormi kept their hopes alive when Joseph Chetcuti narrowed the gap on the stroke of half-time but the Spartans held on to their slim advantage to move up to third in the standings on 16 points, just one behind Tarxien, Ħamrun’s opponents on Friday.

Ħamrun coach Stephen D’Amato was forced to reshuffle his backline due to the absence through suspension of Roderick Fenech and Martin Hrubsa. Massimo Grima was switched to centre-half alongside Steve Bonnici.

Qormi were boosted by the return of Abubakar Bello Osagie who recovered from injury. The Nigerian replaced Croatian Kosta Bjedov who is out with a wrist injury.

Qormi should have taken the lead after three minutes when Joseph Farrugia’s throughball released Matthew Bartolo but the latter’s shot was blocked by Omar Borg.

It was all Qormi in the opening stages. On13 minutes, Bartolo sped past Jovan Vukanic before sending in a cross-shot that Borg tipped away for a corner. The Ħamrun goalkeeper then had to charge out of goal to anticipate Chetcuti after an excellent pass from Bartolo.

The Spartans’ first attempt at goal arrived after 22 minutes when Lee James Agius moved past two defenders before passing to Marcelo Pereira. The Brazilian released Anizoba whose shot was pushed away for a corner by Matthew Farrugia.

On 25 minutes, Hoyung Kang’s tremendous drive from outside the area sailed wide.

It was the Spartans who struck on 28 minutes when Fenech’s long pass found Pereira who quickly passed to Spiteri whose low drive rolled beneath Farrugia and into the net.

Qormi’s response was immediate and a minute later Bello Osagie brought the best out of Borg after another great pass from Farrugia.

However, the Spartans hit a decisive blow on 32 minutes. Pereira served Spiteri who was upended by Jonathan Bondin in the box. Referee Andre Arciola pointed to the spot and dismissed Bondin. From the resultant penalty, Fenech sent his shot past Farrugia.

Qormi coach Stephen Azzopardi promptly withdrew Keith Fenech in favour of defender Roderick Sammut.

Qormi threatened again on the stroke of half-time. Cleaven Frendo’s corner was met by Jason Vandelanoitte whose header was pushed over the bar by Borg.

The yellow-blacks suffered another blow when Bello Osagie limped out injured and was replaced by George Mallia.

On the stroke of half-time, Qormi pulled one back when a poor clearance from Vukanic was picked by Chetcuti who rammed home.

Buoyed by Chetcuti’s goal, Qormi started the second half strongly. Farrugia picked Mallia whose shot on the turn was blocked by Borg.

The Spartans were looking shaky at the back and D’Amato introduced Aaron Attard and Mead Mifsud for Vukanic and Grima respectively.

Qormi remained dangerous and on 67 minutes, Chetcuti freed Mallia who saw his effort blocked by Borg.

Chances remained few and far between with the Spartans defending their advantage and trying to hit Qormi on the counter.

Eight minutes from time, Pereira had the chance to kill the match when he swept past three Qormi players but his shot flashed wide.

In time added-on, Mifsud missed a golden opportunity when he advanced unchallenged but his chip was touched away by Farrugia.

Ħamrun Spartans
O. Borg-8, M.A. Bonnici-6.5, M. Grima-6 (65 M. Mifsud-5.5), R. Fenech-7, L.J. Agius-6, M. Pereira-6.5, G. Spiteri-7, J. Vukanic-4 (63 A. Attard-6), D. Camilleri-6.5, S. Bonnici-6.5, P. Anizoba-5.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, J. Vandelanoitte-7, S. Giglio-5.5, M. Bartolo-6.5 (76 B. Camilleri), K. Fenech-5 (36 R. Sammut-6.5), J. Chetcuti-6.5, J. Farrugia-7, A. Bello Osagie-6 (45 G. Mallia-6.5), J. Bondin, C. Frendo-6, H. Kang-6.5.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards: Giglio; Camilleri; Agius; Borg.

Red card: Bondin (Q) 30

BOV player of the match: Omar Borg (Ħamrun Spartans).

Playing today: Tedesco Stadium (19.30) Vittoriosa Stars vs Valletta.