Marsaxlokk 5
Obiefule 18, 31, 34 pen.; Campagnoli 44; Lattes 72;
Ħamrun Spartans 3
Grima 45, 86; Shields 83;
Marsaxlokk ripped up the script yesterday as they hit four goals in a devastating first-half display to leave Ħamrun Spartans in a state of bewilderment.
Still without a coach after the resignation of Winston Muscat and beset by serious financial problems, Marsaxlokk looked doomed before a ball had even been kicked but their players rose above these difficulties as they produced a valiant performance.
Obinna Obiefule scored a hat-trick inside the opening 34 minutes to propel Marsaxlokk into a 3-0 lead as Ħamrun, seen as hot favourites to overcome the Blues, looked out for the count.
The first half ended 4-1 in favour of Marsaxlokk but the second period was equally exciting as the erstwhile inept Ħamrun summoned a spirited comeback amid unrelenting drama.
Despite scoring two late goals, the Spartans had left themselves with too much to do as a gripping match, one characterised by non-stop goals, defensive mistakes, tactical confusion and also some good saves from the two goalkeepers, ended 5-3 in favour of Marsaxlokk who moved two points clear of Ħamrun in the bottom half of the table.
Jesmond Zammit’s starting line-up showed two alterations from the 1-1 draw with Hibs as Swiss midfielder Carlo Polli, back from suspension, and Scottish forward Dene Shields, who has recovered from a hamstring strain, were preferred to Luis Silva and Carlos Toneto Porcari.
Marsaxlokk’s formation was probably selected by the club’s senior players as the Blues are still without a coach following the resignation of Winston Muscat. Modesto Valeriani replaced the suspended Florent Raimy and Clive Brincat, back in the fray after serving a one-match ban, took the place of Malcolm Licari.
The sight of Licari pacing the technical area in the opening stages of the game suggested that the former Malta U-21 international had taken it upon himself to try and offer some guidance to his Marsaxlokk team-mates from the bench.
The coach-less Blues opted for a 4-2-3-1 with Martin Deanov, Gary Caruana and Emiliano Lattes operating behind lone striker Obinna Obiefule, yesterday facing one of his former clubs.
Inside the opening four minutes, Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Reuben Gauci blocked a swerving free-kick from Massimo Grima.
Marsaxlokk’s first noteworthy move saw Obiefule guide an intelligent pass behind the Spartans defence and towards Lattes who fired against the side-netting.
Gauci prevented Ħamrun from surging in front with two good saves from Shields’ efforts, the first a cross-cum-shot and the second an angled drive that forced the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper to leap into the air to block the Scottish forward’s attempt.
Polli threatened with a rising shot that sailed just over but, on 18 minutes, Marsaxlokk shocked the Spartans by taking the lead.
Obiefule veered to his right before dispatching a low shot that had the better of the diving Cassar. The Nigerian, who had been the subject of taunts from the Spartans fans, ran in front of his tormentors as he celebrated his goal.
Regarded as surefire favourites to see off a team plagued by off-field difficulties, the Spartans were handed a harsh reality check.
Grima was wide with a curling free-kick but the Spartans were struggling to attain some sort of rhythm.
Not so can be said of Marsaxlokk who, with Obiefule and Deanov breaking forward with gusto, were dangerous every time they ventured forward.
Cassar did well to push Obiefule’s piledriver over the bar but Marsaxlokk made it 2-0 from the ensuing corner. Deanov’s measured set-piece cross flew into the box and Obiefule powered his downward header past Cassar.
This came on 31 minutes. More misery befell the Spartans when, two minutes later, Marsaxlokk went 3-0 up. Another swift Marsaxlokk breakaway saw Deanov advance through the middle before releasing Obiefule who appeared to have been tripped by Grima.
Referee Clayton Pisani pointed to the spot and Obiefule drilled his shot past Cassar to complete his hat-trick.
The Blues’ third goal sparked jeers from the Spartans fans who couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Zammit’s men needed a quick goal to revive their flailing spirits but Marsaxlokk remained on top.
On one occasion, Shields, yesterday deployed at the apex of the Spartans’ 4-4-1-1 formation, forced his way into the box but his effort was stopped by Mamo.
But, Marsaxlokk continued to exploit the acres of uncovered space between the Spartans’ defence and midfield. They increased their lead to four goals on the stroke of time, Carlinos Campagnoli, much more effective in central midfield than in defence, concluded a solo run with a crisp finish.
Ħamrun looked shell-shocked but, seconds before the half-time whistle, Grima handed them a glimmer of hope when he pulled one back with a perfectly-flighted free-kick.
Zammit put in another striker, Gaetan Spiteri, for Daniel Zerafa who, like most of his Spartans team-mates, had a disappointing first half.
Spiteri proceeded to partner Shields up front and Grima, who started at centre-half, swapped positions with David Camilleri who struggled in midfield.
The Spartans stormed into Marsaxlokk at the start of the second period. They could have reduced the deficit to two goals but for a top-drawer save from Gauci who smothered Grima’s pulverising shot over the bar.
Ten minutes into the second half, referee Pisani limped off after picking up an injury. Fourth official Mario Apap took up refereeing duties.
Despite pushing forward incessantly, the Spartans hardly troubled Gauci in the Marsaxlokk goal. It was not before 20 minutes of the second half had elapsed when Gauci had to make another decent save, repelling Shields’ strike after good work by Anderson Ribeiro.
From a counter-attack, Deanov charged clear on the right but his teasing cross was deflected away for a corner by Gianluca Calabretta at the far post.
Another Grima free-kick sailed high but Marsaxlokk would have made it 5-1 but for Cassar’s point-blank save from Obiefule. The Spartans’ reprieve was temporary as, 19 minutes from time, Lattes profited from a moment of hesitation in the opposing defence to dart into the box before lifting the ball over Cassar.
The non-stop action continued as, straight from the restart, Grima unleashed a dipping effort from the centre-circle which smacked against the crossbar. In no time, Gauci pulled off another good save to repel Spiteri’s shot.
In committing more men forward, the Spartans looked vulnerable at the back. In a fast Marsaxlokk raid, the enterprising Deanov powered clear through the middle before moving the ball out to Lattes who let fly a rising shot but Cassar fisted the ball over the bar.
The game opened up. Gauci blocked a low shot from Grima but, seven minutes from time, Ħamrun narrowed the gap, Shields beating Gauci with an excellent looping shot after he had been teed up by the never-say-die Grima.
Five minutes from time, Grima trimmed Ħamrun’s deficit to two goals when his long-range screamer sailed past the diving Gauci.
In the dying stages, the Spartans almost scored their fourth as Grima passed to Shields whose close-range effort grazed the far post.
Lee James Agius, a late substitute, hit a post for the Spartans.
Marsaxlokk
R. Gauci-6.5, J. Xerri-6, C. Mamo-6, C. Brincat-5, G. Caruana-6, S. Eboh-6 (75 J. P. Farrugia), C. Campagnoli-6, E. Lattes-6.5 (89 M. Licari), M. Deanov-7.5, M. Valeriani-6.5, O. Obiefule-8.
Ħamrun Spartans
A. Cassar-6.5, N. Gacesa-4, D. Zerafa-4 (46 G. Spiteri-5.5), M. Grima-8, A. Ribeiro-5 (76 C. Toneto Porcari) K. Sammut-5, M. Gauci-4 (76 L.J. Agius), C. Polli-4, D. Camilleri-4, G. Calabretta-5, D. Shields-6.
Referee: Clayton Pisani/Mario Apap.
Yellow cards: Gacesa; Brincat; Grima; Lattes; Campagnoli; Farrugia.
BOV player of the match: Obinna Obiefule (Marsaxlokk).
Attendance: 1,331.
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Valletta | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 9 | 25 |
| Hibernians | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 8 | 24 |
| Floriana | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 9 | 17 |
| Qormi | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 12 | 16 |
| Birkirkara | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 16 |
| Sliema | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
| Balzan | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 11 |
| Mqabba | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 19 | 11 |
| Marsaxlokk | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 20 | 25 | 10 |
| Ħamrun | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 21 | 8 |
| Tarxien | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 21 | 7 |
| Mosta | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 23 | 5 |