Gudja United consolidated their mid-table position after a 1-0 win over Ħamrun Spartans. Photo: Stephen Gatt

Gudja United 1
Ħamrun Spartans 0

Ħamrun Spartans are staring relegation in the face after losing to Gudja United who finished the match with 10 men.

If Msida St Joseph beat St George’s – who drew 2-2 with Lija Athletic on Saturday courtesy of Roderick Zerafa’s late equaliser – on Friday, the Spartans will be demoted to the third tier of Maltese football.

Despite occupying a mid-table position, Gudja never gave away an inch in a generally dull game.

They saw more of the ball but it was Ħamrun who tried their luck with several shots at goal.

Early on, Simon Shead tested Marco Gori with a good drive and Glenn Azzopardi’s effort finished high and wide.

Ħamrun tried again on 36 minutes when Mariano Cornago Del Pedro’s grounder was kept out by Gori.

Gudja suffered a blow on the hour when Elton Bugeja was dismissed after elbowing Shead. From the resultant free-kick, Cornago Del Pedro fired wide.

Ħamrun continued to attack but Gudja were compact and closed all avenues to goal.

With 15 minutes remaining, Gudja at last ventured forward but defender Andrea Scozzese was denied by Jean Claude Debattista.

Gudja scored the winner 12 minutes from time. Peter Paul Sammut darted into the box and dribbled goalkeeper Debattista before slotting home.

Six minutes from time, Ryan Dalli hit over the crossbar from a good position after receiving from Scozzese.

In stoppage time, Ħamrun were unlucky not to equalise as Justin Felice’s header hit the crossbar.

Gudja: M. Gori, C. Portelli (J. Zahra), C. Farrugia, R. Buhagiar, C. Fenech, E. Bugeja, M. Groves, P.P. Sammut, B. Saliba (A. Scozzese), V. Brincat (G. Debattista), R. Dalli.

Ħamrun: J.C. Debattista, A. Attard (M. Busuttil), A. Micallef, J. Felice, D. Nazari, A. Borg, S. Hili, M. Carnago Del Pedro, S. Shead, R. Spiteri, G. Azzopardi (R. Refalo).

Referee: Luke Portelli.

Man of the match: Justin Felice (Ħamrun Spartans).