Darmanin scores hat-trick to steer Marsaxlokk to second place

Ħamrun Spartans 2
Chipev 21, Agius 89;
Marsaxlokk 4
Darmanin 42, 45, 55; Effiong 60;

Marsaxlokk moved into second place in the Premier League standings yesterday after dismantling Ħamrun Spartans with another fine attacking display.

Ryan Darmanin, the former Floriana striker, fired a hat-trick as the southseasiders overcame the shock of falling behind to the Spartans early on. The result means Marsaxlokk leapfrogged Birkirkara and Floriana who play each other today.

Patrick Curmi’s Marsaxlokk was rocked when Nikolai Chipev turned to head Ħamrun into a deserved, early lead. But the Blues, inspired by Darmanin, roared back in a spectacular style.

Before the break, he sunk his teeth into the Spartans with two quick goals and then proceeded to complete the comeback as Alfred Effiong wrapped up the game to dispel fears of an upset.

Ħamrun began with the composure of a team whose record against the top teams in the Championship Pool has been positive and, with Marcelo Pereira and Gaetan Spiteri probing with precision, the initial signs were that this was going to be a close contest.

Yet, for all their bright play, the Spartans have lately been tainted by sudden outbreaks of shaky play in the defence.

Marsaxlokk, still licking their wounds from the 4-1 setback to Birkirkara in their previous match, had Julio Alcorse ruled out through suspension while Florent Raimy started on the bench.

Effiong and Luca Lodetti were both roped in from the start.

Curmi’s decision to include Italian Lodetti to fill the void left by French midfielder Raimy necessitated some positional changes with the defender filling in at the back for Rumen Galabov who was pushed upfield.

If victory was impressive for the southseasiders, the Spartans had no particular target to aim for after two defeats on the trot dented their chances of challenging for a top-three finish. With this in mind, Stephen D’Amato tested the depth of his squad by giving his supporting cast the chance to shine.

Young Andrea Cassar was handed the onus of guarding goal instead of Omar Borg while Steve Bonnici, Dragan Milovic and David Camilleri all started on the bench. Scottish striker Dene Shields and Peter Anizoba missed out on selection due to injuries.

Ħamrun threatened to draw first blood after 14 minutes but Spiteri’s looping header skimmed the crossbar.

A few moments later, Lodetti lost track of Spiteri who took his time and picked out the cross of his choice, duly clipping the ball towards the penalty area only to see Gauci reaching the ball first ahead of Lee James Agius.

Marsaxlokk’s first sniff at goal came on 18 minutes. Galabov volleyed a powerful low shot which was stopped by Cassar.

It was no surprise then to see the pendulum swinging back in favour of Ħamrun.

On 21 minutes Chipev exercised his neck muscles to get his head to a Dyson Falzon corner and arch a header beyond Gauci’s reach.

Ħamrun’s start might have given D’Amato hope that he could mastermind his first victory in the Championship Pool. But 40 minutes into the game, Marsaxlokk served warning they were about to step through the gears as an interchange between Martin Deanov and Darmanin almost opened up their opponents.

That action served to settle Marsaxlokk’s nerves and leave the opposite effect on the Spartans.

In fact, two minutes later, Marsaxlokk were on level terms after a swift break. Deanov served Darmanin who chipped the ball over the onrushing Cassar.

More was to come and just before half-time, Gareth Sciberras did all the spadework as the towering striker thundered home a rasping low shot to make it 2-1.

Almost inevitably this led to a subdued period after the break as Ħamrun looked to regroup. Then, an injection of pace from Effiong saw him threatening with a stinging shot in the 53rd minute.

And two minutes later, the southerners carved out a third, Nigerian Effiong waltzing through the defence before serving Darmanin who tapped in.

Right on the hour , Marsaxlokk cut through again, Licari outfoxed the Ħamrun defence with a sweet dink towards Effiong who pushed the ball past Cassar and into the net.

With D’Amato’s men still reeling, Trevor Templeman controlled the ball in the box before smashing a volley against the crossbar from 11 metres out.

Pereira’s incisive running was still a source of discomfort for Marsaxlokk but he blazed over an open chance after 70 minutes.

More fluid approach play carved out another chance for Marsaxlokk as Effiong pulled the ball back for Deanov who blazed over.

Instead, it was Ħamrun who were to score the next goal, when Dylan Kokavessis was brought down in the area by Carlo Mamo.

Agius had his penalty saved by Gauci but followed the rebound to make it 4-2.

Ħamrun Spartans
A. Cassar-5, J. Vukanic-6 (84 S. Bonnici), A. Attard-5, R. Fenech-5, M. Grima-5.5, R. Mangion-5 (73 D. Camilleri), L.J. Agius-6, N. Chipev-6.5, G. Spiteri-7 (69 D. Kokavessis-5), M. Pereira-7, D. Falzon-6.

Marsaxlokk
R. Gauci-6, M. Licari-6.5 (69 C. Brincat-6), C. Mamo-6, L. Lodetti-6, E. Yanchev-5 (58 F Raimy-6), T. Templeman-6.5, R. Galabov-7, G. Sciberras-7, M. Deanov-6, R. Darmanin-7.5 (82’ G. Caruana), A. Effiong-7.

Referee: Clayton Pisani. Yellow cards Galabov, Grima, Falzon.

Missed penalty: Agius (Ħ) 89.

BOV player of the match: Ryan Darmanin (Marsaxlokk).

Attendance: 675.