Hamrun 2 Marsaxlokk 4

Marsaxlokk moved into second place in the premier league after dismantling Hamrun with another fine attacking display.

Former Floriana Ryan Darmanin fired a hat-trick as the Southseasiders overcame the shock of falling behind to the Spartans.

The result means Marsaxlokk leapfrog Birkirkara and Floriana who play each other on Sunday.

Hamrun threatened to draw first blood after 14 minutes but Spiteri’s looping header skimmed the crossbar.

Marsaxlokk’s first sniff at goal after 18 minutes. Galabov volleyed a powerful low shot which was blocked by Cassar. It was no surprise then to see the pendulum swinging once more in favour of Hamrun in the 21^st minute when Nikolai Chipev exercised his neck muscles to get his head to a corner by Dyson Falzon and arched a header beyond the reach of Gauci.

But 40 minutes into the game, Marsaxlokk served warning they were about to step through the gears as an interchange between Martin Deanov and Darmanin almost opened up Hamrun. It served to settle Marsaxlokk, and have the opposite effect on Spartans.

Two minutes later, Marsaxlokk were on level terms from a swift break. Deanov served Darmanin who chipped the ball over the onrushing Cassar.

Just before half-time. Gareth Sciberras did all the spadework as the towering striker thundered home a rasping low shot.

An injection of pace from Alfred Effiong saw him with a stinging shot in the 53^rd minute. And two minutes later, the Southseasiders carved out a third, the Nigerian after waltzing through the defence he teed up with Darmanin for a simple tap-in.

On the hour mark, Marsaxlokk cut through again, Licari outfoxed the Hamrun defence with a sweet dink toward Effiong who pushed the ball past Cassar and into the net.

More fluid approach play carved out another chance for Marsaxlokk as Effiong pulled the ball back for Deanov blazed over. Instead it was Hamrun who were to score the next goal, when Kokavessis was brought down in the area by Carlo Mamo. Lee James Agius had his initial penalty saved by Gauci but followed the rebound to make it 4-2.