Ħamrun Spartans 3
Cucciardi 53, 88; Kokavessis 59
Qormi 2
Da Silva 47; Grima 66

Ħamrun Spartans finally broke their duck in the 2008-09 Premier League yesterday after they scraped past neighbouring rivals Qormi 3-2 in a thrilling derby at the Tedesco Stadium.

Diego Armando Cucciardi was instrumental in the Spartans' first league victory, scoring two fine goals after the break as Ħamrun followed up their 2-1 win over Qormi in the FA Trophy second round with another success yesterday.

Ħamrun coach Steve D'Amato, yesterday taking charge of his first Premier League match after leading his team to successive wins in the KO competition, was forced to name an all-Maltese line-up as Serbian midfielder Zoran Levnaic and Brazilian defender Alex Noronha were ruled out by injuries. Striker Gaetan Spiteri was serving a one-match ban.

Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa had his fair share of selection problems as Joseph Farrugia, Carmel Formosa and Shaun Tellus were out with injuries while midfielder Keith Fenech was suspended.

As expected, the opening half turned out to be a very tight affair but goalscoring chances were rare.

It was Qormi who threatened first after only eight minutes when Anatole Debono's firm shot was punched away by Ħamrun goalkeeper Ivan Casha.

The next Qormi chance came on 21 minutes when Ivan Da Silva's shot was diverted away for a corner.

Ħamrun finally produced their first scoring opportunity on 24 minutes when Dylan Kokavessis, again deployed as a lone forward, tried to surprise Reuben Gauci from the distance but his shot flew just wide.

Five minutes later, Massimo Grima almost committed an own goal when his headed clearance from Ryan Fenech's free-kick scraped the upright with Gauci beaten.

From the ensuing corner, taken by Ryan Fenech, Cucciardi saw his header sail just wide.

For the rest of the half, there was little to report about as both teams continued to cancel each other out.

Qormi began the second half in style as, after only two minutes, they forged ahead. Nigerian Alfred Effiong, yesterday facing his former team-mates, sped through from the left before crossing for Da Silva who stabbed the ball home.

Ħamrun made an immediate reaction and six minutes later, they made it 1-1. Rupert Mangion sent in a teasing cross from a corner and Cucciardi headed the ball past Gauci.

At the other end, Casha distinguished himself with a one-handed save on Grima's powerful drive from a free-kick.

It was end-to-end stuff now and on 59 minutes, Ħamrun went in front for the first time in the game.

Manolito Micallef flicked the ball into the path of Kokavessis who unleashed a powerful first-time shot that gave Gauci no chance.

On 65 minutes, Joseph Chetcuti almost levelled matters for Qormi but his rising shot was turned away for a corner by Casha. From the ensuing flag-kick, taken by Adrian Ciantar, Grima rose above his marker to head the ball home.

D'Amato introduced Stefan Sultana for the final 20 minutes in the hope that the veteran striker would inspire his team-mates to victory as he did in their FA Trophy clash with Qormi.

The final minutes of the match saw both teams seek a winner and it was the Spartans who struck two minutes from time.

It came after a piece of individual brilliance from Cucciardi who displayed great footwork to go past his marker before placing the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Qormi were reduced to ten men in time added-on when Chucks Nwoko, on as a substitute, was dismissed after clashing with Roderick Fenech.

Ħamrun Spartans
I. Casha-7, M.A. Bonnici-6.5, D.A. Cucciardi-8 ('90 L.J. Agius), A. Attard-6.5, Rod. Fenech-7, S. Meilaq-6 ('70 S. Sultana-6), Ryan Fenech-6.5, R. Mangion-8, K. Magro-6, D. Kokavessis-6.5, M. Micallef-6.

Qormi
R. Gauci-6, J. Saliba-6, R. Forace-5, M. Grima-7, A. Debono-6 ('67 C. Nwoko), R. Dos Santos-6, A. Effiong-6.5, J. Chetcuti-6, R. Sammut-5, I. Da Silva-6, A. Ciantar-6.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Cucciardi; Grima; Attard; Casha; Forace.

Red card: Nwoko (Q) 90.

BoV player of the match: Massimo Grima (Qormi).