Ħamrun Spartans 3
Comvalius 7; Spiteri 13; Levnaic 37
Msida St Joseph 0
Ħamrun Spartans launched their bid to avoid the dreaded drop on a sound footing yesterday after they eased past Relegation Pool rivals Msida St Joseph.
It was an impressive performance by the Spartans who produced an exhibition of attacking football in the first half to take a three-goal lead by the 37th minute and virtually seal the three points.
The dismissal of Roderick Fenech on the stroke of half-time was viewed as a potential blow for Ħamrun but even with a man down, they retained the initiative against a toothless Msida side.
By virtue of this win, the Spartans are now top of the Relegation Pool on 12 points, one ahead of Msida.
Ħamrun coach Steve D'Amato was without Jonathan Bondin, suspended, while Aaron Attard is still sidelined with a knee injury.
Msida coach Joe Abdilla effected only one change from the team that lost to Marsaxlokk 2-1 last month, Mark Camilleri being preferred to Kevin Mifsud.
Kick-off was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of former Ħamrun president Victor Tedesco. The Spartans players displayed a banner with the message 'Victor Tedesco, the Ħamrun people will never forget you'. Club president Gejtu Cuschieri presented a bouquet of flowers to Tedesco's daughter Patricia.
The Spartans got off to a flying start, going 1-0 up after only seven minutes. Rupert Mangion's cross from a corner found Sylvano Comvalius who unleashed a powerful volley that flew past Matthew Camilleri.
It was all Ħamrun in those early stages and on 13 minutes, they struck again. Comvalius sent a calibrated pass towards Manolito Micallef who instantly touched the ball towards the sprinting Gaetan Spiteri and the Spartans striker volleyed home.
Barely two minutes later, the Spartans threatened again but Comvalius's angled shot was pushed away by Camilleri.
Msida were struggling to impose themselves on the game and it was the Spartans who almost tripled their lead on the half hour. Comvalius, who is reportedly attracting interest from a foreign club, showed great footwork to run past his marker but his drive was fisted away by Camilleri.
Two minutes later, Ħamrun protested for a penalty after Micallef looked to have been floored by Andrew Spiteri but referee Marco Borg instead booked the former Floriana player for simulation.
Msida's misery increased eight minutes from half-time when from a Ryan Fenech corner, Zoran Levnaic's dipping header flew past a stranded Camilleri.
The game looked over as a contest but two minutes before the end of the first half, Msida appeared to have gained a much-needed boost. Ħamrun defender Roderick Fenech was sent off after a rash challenge on Andre Rocha Da Silva brought him a second booking followed by the red card.
Pedro Calcado came close to pulling one back for Msida in first-half stoppage time but his curling free-kick just missed the upright.
At half-time, Abdilla withdrew central defender Stacey Vella and roped in striker Marcos Aurelio as he looked to boost his team's attacking charge.
Msida were soon on the offensive and on 47 minutes, Ivan Casha did well to keep out Mark Camilleri's header.
However, the Spartans almost increased their advantage on 54 minutes. From a quick breakaway, Fenech served Spiteri who sped towards the Msida area but his effort was blocked by Camilleri.
Ħamrun were now banking on quick forays through Comvalius and Spiteri as Msida struggled to profit from their numerical superiority.
On 65 minutes, Msida protested for a penalty when Steve Meilak looked to have upended Kurt Magro in the area but the referee waved play on.
Twenty minutes from time, Msida came close again when Tyrone Farrugia's dipping header was cleared off the line by Meilak following an Adrian Farrugia corner.
Comvalius should have scored his second goal 10 minutes from time when the Dutch striker was put through on goal by Spiteri but he incredibly fired over with only Camilleri to beat.
Two minutes later, substitute Diego Armando Cucciardi almost made it 4-0 for the Spartans when he dribbled his way past three opponents and turned past Camilleri but fired into the side-netting.
In injury time, the woodwork denied Msida a consolation goal when Calcado's free-kick hit the bar.
Ħamrun Spartans
I. Casha-6, M.A. Bonnici-6.5, Z. Levniac-6.5, S. Comvalius-8, Rod. Fenech, S. Meilak-6 ('90 M. Busuttil), Ryan Fenech-7, R. Mangion-6.5 ('75 D.A. Cucciardi), F. Anton-6, G. Spiteri-6.5 ('85 S. Sultana), M. Micallef-6.
Msida St Joseph
M. Camilleri-5.5 ('84 D. Carabott), S. Grima-5, A. Spiteri-5, T. Farrugia-5.5, S. Vella-5 ('46 M. Aurelio-5.5), D. Cachia-6, A. Da Silva-6, A. Farrugia-5.5 ('74 K. Mifsud), M. Camilleri-6.5, K. Magro-5, P. Calcado-5.5.
Referee: Marco Borg.
Yellow cards: Rod. Fenech; Calcado; Camilleri; Casha; T. Farrugia.
Red card: Roderick Fenech (Ħ) 43.
BoV player of the match: Sylvano Comvalius (Ħamrun Spartans).