Late goals save battling Spartans

Ħamrun Spartans 2
Shields 84 pen; Sammut 89;
Mosta 2
Obiefule 15, 67;

Ħamrun Spartans staged a dramatic fightback yesterday as they scored two last-gasp goals to snatch a point from the luckless Mosta.

The Blues looked on their way to a precious victory after Obinna Obiefule had scored a goal in each half to put his team in the driving seat.

But, the Spartans did not throw in the towel and managed to avoid a damaging defeat with goals in the last six minutes from Dene Shields (penalty) and Kevin Sammut.

Mosta had ample opportunities to put the game to bed but in the end they had to settle for a point that did little to help either team’s position in the standings.

Ħamrun only had two foreigners in their starting formation, strikers Shields and Anderson Ribeiro. Croat defender Niki Gacesa was released while Swiss midfielder Carlo Polli started on the bench and made his last showing for the team after coming on as a substitute. His contract has also been rescinded.

Dane Ronnie Hartvig, the former Birkirkara defender, is close to sign a deal with the Reds. Andrea Cassar started in goal for Ħamrun as regular no.1 Omar Borg was suspended while striker Gaetan Spiteri was back in the fray after suspension.

Mosta were without striker Gilbert Martin, suspended, while Sheldon Grech was injured.

The Blues took the lead on 15 minutes when Jonathan Bajada’s drive was half parried by Cassar and in da-shed Obiefule who stabbed home.

Ħamrun’s hesitant defending almost saw them conceding a second goal on 29 minutes when they failed to deal with a Bajada centre but Obiefule’s effort hit the upright.

The Spartans were struggling. Kurt Magro’s throughball released Ian Zammit who was denied by the alert Cassar.

Mosta were still the best team on the restart. Obiefule raced past three defenders but his shot again came off the post.

The Spartans regrouped and were unlucky not to draw level on the hour when Ribeiro’s overhead kick hit the upright.

However, it was Mosta who doubled their lead on 67 minutes. From a swift break, Obiefule turned past Massimo Grima and unleashed an unstoppable shot that flew past Cassar.

Ħamrun were rocked but staged a bold rally in a desperate bid to save the match.

Kane Farrugia denied the Reds from goal when he cleared off the line Bonnici’s goalbound header but eight minutes from time Spiteri was upended in the area by Debono and from the penalty, Shields halved the deficit.

The Spartans were pushing forward in numbers now and a minute from time their comeback was complete Kevin Sammut hit a fine dipping shot into the net.

There was more drama in store though. Just before the final whistle Obiefule disposed Bonnici and was clean through to goal but opted to pass the ball to Zammit who rammed home but the goal was disallowed for offside much to the relief of the Spartans.

Ħamrun Spartans
A. Cassar-5, S. Bonnici-6, M. Grima-5, D. Camilleri-5, M. Gauci-5, R. Mangion-4 (64 C. Polli-7), K. Sammut-7, G. Calabretta-4 (70 L.J. Agius-5), D. Shields-6, G. Spiteri-5 (85 R. Spiteri), A. Ribeiro-5.

Mosta
J. Debono-6, A. Borg-6.5, K. Farrugia-6 (80 L. Martinelli), F. Tisbi-6.5, Y. Ossok-7, F. Raimy-7, A. Cini-6.5, K. Magro-6, I. Zammit-6, O. Obiefule-7.5, J. Bajada-6.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards: Calabretta, Ribeiro, Borg, Agius, Zammit.

BOV Player of the match: Obinna Obiefule (Mosta).