ĦAMRUN SPARTANS-6, MARSAXLOKK-2

Ħamrun Spartans ended their winless run with a 6-2 thrashing of Marsaxlokk in today's second top-flight game.

This direct clash between two relegation strugglers developed into an open, goal-laded encounter with the Spartans twice coming from behind before ripping the hapless Blues apart with four goals in 12 second-half minutes.

The two teams showed their attacking intent from the initial minutes.

Marasaxlokk goalkeeper Christian Cassar saved a low effort from Gaetan Spiteri early on and Kevin Sammut had an effort deflected away for a corner.

In their first notable attack, Marsaxlokk forged ahead after 12 minutes, Jean Paul Farrugia guiding the ball over Borg and into the net after latching on to a pass from Oladotun..

Ħamrun had a golden opportunity to level matters when Sammut teed up Gianluca Calabretta but the latter's central effort was kept out by Cassar.

The Spartans continued to push forward. David Camilleri picked out Dene Shields inside the box but the Scottish forward's powerful drive was pawed away by Cassar.

Ħamrun's pressure produced a deserved equaliser midway into the first when Calabretta scored from a goalmouth melee after Marsaxlokk had partially blocked Sammut's header from Spiteri's cross.

The game remained entertaining. Alex Cesar Pedrozo blasted over after getting on the end of a loose ball but eight minutes from half-time, Marsaxlokk regained the lead. Pedrozo slipped the ball to Oladotun who raced past the static Spartans defender and slotted home.

Lee James Agius threatened to equalise for the Spartans but his stinging volley was touched away by Cassar.

The second half had only just begun when Ħamrun levelled matters, Massimo Grima heading home from Matthew Gauci's corner.

At the other end, Grima came to his team's rescue when blocking two goalbound attempts from Farrugia.

Ħamrun were quick to transfer the ball forward, Calabretta delivering an excellent cross to Sammut whose first-time effort came off the base of the post.

Stefan Sultana's team took the lead for the first time in the match on

69 minutes thanks to Calabretta who beat Cassar with a rising shot from inside the area.

This goal shook Marsaxlokk who fell two goals behind when Grima scored his second of the game with a brilliant free-kick from an angled position.

The Spartans' flurry of goals continued as, barely three minutes later, Shields headed home from close in after Spiteri's far-post attempt had cannoned off the crossbar.

Defender Ron Hartvig rounded the scoring when hitting the Spartans'

sixth with a dipping header from David Camilleri's cross nine minutes from time.

Grima, the Ħamrun defender, was named BOV player of the match.