Spartans ease past Swallows

Ħamrun Spartans 3

Dingli Swallows 1

Ħamrun Spartans moved into the Last 16 of the U*Bet FA Trophy thanks to a fine second-half performance where they simply ran riot.

It was surely a different proposition from the first half which saw Dingli Swallows looking the sharper and more polished side throughout.

This was a game of two halves. Although the Premier League side had their chances in the opening minutes, Dingli dominated proceedings in midfield with Bulgarian Leontiv Konda showing his class.

It was Ħamrun who made the early running, stretching Dingli in their own half from the outset.

After seven minutes Kevin Sammut received the ball from Massimo Grima and the Spartans midfielder saw his shot blocked by Dingli goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.

As minutes ticked by Dingli started to come more into the picture and on 12 minutes Konda’s shot from outside the area was pushed away by the alert Andrea Cassar, the Spartans goalkeeper.

Konda threatened again minutes later when his well-hit drive was parried away by Cassar.

The Spartans responded on 41 minutes when Sammut shot high and wide from close range.

Ħamrun started the second half with a bang. On 49 minutes, Steve Bonnici’s effort was tipped to a corner by Dingli goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.

From the ensuing flag-kick, taken by Gianluca Calabretta, Anderson Riberio struck the ball home.

Now Ħamrun started to dictate matters and in the 69th minute it was Riberio again who headed home this time from a Massimo Grima free-kick.

It looked as if Ħamrun were going to rip the Swallows apart as they started to attack from both flanks. Polli went close and minutes later Sammut just missed the target after another swift raid.

Dingli were given a lifeline on 78 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Grima was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.

Konda stepped up for the kick and drilled the ball past Cassar.

Dingli almost drew level three minutes from time. Etienne Farrugia picked Jonathan Sapiano who fired just wide from a good position.

A minute into injury time Grima unleashed a powerful drive that came off the bar.

However, the Spartans sealed the issue three minutes into stoppage time. Dingli substitute Paolo Ciantar upended Ribeiro in the area and a second penalty was awarded which was converted by Sammut.

Ħamrun Spartans: A. Cassar; S. Bonnici, D. Camilleri, M. Gauci, M. Grima, C. Polli, K. Sammut, G. Calabretta (R. Spiteri), D. Shields (L.J. Agius), A. Menderson Riberio, N. Gacesa (G. Azzopardi).

Dingli Swallows: J. Farrugia, F. Owusu, K. Pace, A. Portelli (P. Ciantar), L. Konda, M. Brincat, J. Sapiano, E. Farrugia, R. Vella, R. Briffa, C. Azzopardi.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.