Żebbuġ Rangers 2
Ħamrun Spartans 1

Two goals scored directly from a corner-kick by Alan Tabone helped Żebbuġ Rangers to come from behind and beat bottom-placed Ħamrun Spartans at the Centenary Stadium yesterday.

The match turned out to be evenly-balanced but once Żebbuġ managed to draw level they seized the initiative and went on to take all points that lifted them to second in the standings, four points adrift of leaders Pietà Hotspurs and one ahead of Melita and Lija Athletic.

It was Ħamrun who created the first chance when Antonio Pigna-taro’s grounder was saved by Żebbuġ goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.

On 17 minutes, Ħamrun goalkeeper Andrea Cassar did well to keep out John Nwoba’s angled drive while at the other end Farrugia dived full stretch to keep out a Jean Paul Kameni header.

On the half hour, Anderson Ribeiro almost struck against his former team when he surged past three defenders but was denied by Cassar.

Four minutes later Pignataro should have put Ħamrun ahead but failed to make contact with the ball after a Ryan Spiteri through-ball.

Giuseppe Fornassi’s Spartans came close again on the stroke of half-time when Pignataro headed just wide from a Justin Felice free-kick.

Ħamrun took the lead on 54 minutes when Ryan Spiteri dribbled past a defender in the box and beat Farrugia from an acute angle.

Spiteri almost struck again ten minutes later but volleyed just wide following a Jake Grech pass.

Żebbuġ looked jaded even though they had a Nwoba drive on the hour finishing high and wide.

On 70 minutes Sergio Hili brought the best out of Cassar who punched the ball for a corner.

From the ensuing flagkick, Tabone’s cross-shot had the better of Cassar.

Five minutes later Kenneth Scicluna was thwarted by another fine Cassar save.

Jesmond Zammit’s side continued to press forward and their efforts were rewarded five minutes from time when from another corner, Tabone’s delivery flew into the net.

Żebbuġ: J. Farrugia, M. Francica, K. Scicluna, R. Mandic, T. Paris, M. Farrugia, A. Tabone, Douglas (M. Britto), A.M. Ribeiro, O. Rababah (S. Hili), J. Nwoba (L. Camilleri).

Ħamrun: A. Cassar, A. Borg, J.P. Kameni (G. Formosa), M. Busuttil, L. Grech, J. Grech, R. Mangion, D.P. Mariano Cornago, R. Spiteri (M. Busuttil), A. Pignataro, J. Felice (A. Micallef).

Referee: Marco Avoni (San Marino).

Man of the match: Alan Tabone (Żebbuġ Rangers).