Birkirkara 1
Shodiya 14 Pen
Ħamrun Spartans 3
Vella 26, 90; Grima 56 Pen
Ħamrun Spartans enjoyed the last laugh in a tale of three penalities.
When Birkirkara striker Shola Shodiya Haruna put away his re-taken penalty after just 14 minutes, Stefan Sultana’s side must have probably feared the worst but the Spartans emerged from a poor start to chalk up a shock victory over Birkirkara.
At the end, Ħamrun were worthy winners as they dominated the match thanks in large to the pressing and work-rate of Lyubomir Vitanov, David Camilleri and Massimo Grima in midfield, the movement of Terence Vella up front and the strong running on the flanks by Gianluca Calabretta.
By contrast, Birkirkara were slow to the ball and sloppy in possession, with Paul Fenech and Gareth Sciberras anonymous and Edward Herrera a liability out on the right as they crashed to a disappointing defeat.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Zach Muscat were named in Birkirkara’s starting formation as coach Paul Zammit made two changes from the team that performed so well in the 1-1 draw against Valletta.
Anton Vergilov was preferred to compatriot Nikolai Bozhov in Ħamrun’s starting formation while David Camilleri replaced Richard Brightwell. Christian Cassar signed from Floriana last September, was on the Ħamrun bench after a long lay-off.
Birkirkara were off to a flier.
The clock marked 12 minutes when Jhonnattann set Mifsud Triganza running into the penalty area as Roderick Fenech, though connecting with the ball, scythed through the back of the striker’s legs with referee Alan Sant pointing to the penalty spot.
Shodiya’s first attempt was a lesson in how not to take a penalty. He stuttered and telegraphed his intentions with Ħamrun goal-keeper Andrea Cassar producing a brilliant one-handed save to partially block the Nigerian’s effort as the ball still rolled over the line.
Yet, the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken on the grounds that the ball was already moving when Shodiya took the kick, the striker kept his cool to send Cassar the wrong way this time.
The Spartans, however, refused to lie down.
Eight minutes later, Camilleri clipped the the inside of the upright following some fine movement by Terence Vella.
The impressive Vella, whose powerful running was a striking feature all evening, restored parity on 26 minutes. Angel Yoshev’s attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Reuben Gauci only for Vella to curl an exquisite shot in off the far post.
Back came Birkirkara in the 37th minute with Jhonnattan’s dipping free-kick from 25 metres which sailed just over the bar.
Although Birkirkara were enjoying a greater share of possession after the break, there was always the danger that they would be caught by a Ħamrun counter-attack given that the Stripes were generous in their defending.
Vella continued to demonstrate his penetrative qualities after 49 minutes when he sensed an opening in the Birkirkara defence after he managed to rob Gareth Sciberras but his effort sailed over.
On 56 minutes, Vella exposed more vulnerability in the Stripes defence to earn a free-kick just outside the box.
From the ensuing kick, Camilleri sent his effort over the four-men wall only for Paul Fenech to stop the ball with his elbow prompting Sant to order a second penalty. Grima made no mistake from the spot.
Birkirkara’s lack of threat will have alarmed Zammit, who brought in Ryan Camenzuli for Zach Muscat , switching Sciberras in central defence to partner Mendoza .
As Birkirkara tried to mount a siege on the Spartans box, Cassar effected a fine save to keep out Jhonnattann’s stinging free-kick in the 63rd minute.
Two bookable offences in quick succession by Fenech left the Stripes with a man less for the last half hour.
On 74 minutes, Birkirkara were handed a lifeline when Herrera’s surge into the box was halted by the sliding Camilleri.
This, however was a strange day for Birkirkara as Shodiya assumed again responsibility for the penalty but his shot was touched away by Cassar.
Unperturbed by Shodiya’s penalty miss, Birkirkara kept pressing for an equaliser as from the ensuing corner, Rowen Muscat headed just wide from Jhonnattan’s delivery.
However, in the dying minutes, Vella punished Birkirkara’s flat-out approach with a devastating counter-attack.
Calabretta galloped towards goal unimpeded before he squared the ball for Vella for the easiest of goals.
Birkirkara: R. Gauci-5, Z. Muscat-5.5 (60 R. Camenzuli-5), A. Mendoza Corujo-5, J. Zerafa-6, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5, G. Sciberras-4.5, P. Fenech, E. Herrera-5, R. Muscat-5.5, Jhonnattann-6, S. Shodiya Haruna-5.5.
Ħamrun Spartans: A. Cassar-8, D. Zerafa-6 (71 R. Spiteri), M. Grima-7, T. Vella-7.5, G. Calabretta-6.5, A. Ivanov-5, R. Fenech-5, L. Vitanov-7, A. Yoshev-5.5, A. Vergilov-5, D.Camilleri-6.5 (82 L.Grech).
Referee Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow Cards Vitanov, Fenech, Grima, Calabretta.
Red Card Fenech (B) 63.
Missed Penalty Shodiya (B) 74.
Bov Player Of The Match Andrea Cassar (Ħamrun Spartans).
Attendance 697.