Hamrun 2 Vittoriosa 0

Gaetan Spiteri scored twice as Vittoriosa Stars fell back down to earth with a bump as a determined Hamrun side came away from the Victor Tedesco with three precious points. In the 6th minute, Compagnoli’s shot took a deflection by Martin Hrusba and flew into the side netting. Five minutes later, Borg pushed a shot by Santos Silva around the post with a finger-tip save as the Brazilian was given all the space in the world to come in from the left and shoot on goal.

On 25 minutes, only a good save from Borg kept out Compagnoli’s swerving free-kick with the goalkeeper justifying his selection ahead of Casha.

The momentum was clearly with the Stars as Hamrun were reduced to half-chances as Massimo Grima went close with two headers on the half-hour mark.

But in the 35th minute, the Spartans showed their opponents the required cutting edge and guile to score a goal as Pereira dinked a ball into the run of Gaetan Spiteri, who controlled with the outside of his boot before lashing in a shot. Vittoriosa were clearly stunned and two minutes from half-time, Marcelo Pereira had a header from a corner headed off the line by Karl Sammut.

Whatever Stars coach Winston Muscat said at half-time had the desired impact as his side raised themselves into action and Leighton Grech’s outswinging corner was powerfully headed onto the bar by Kevin Mifsud with Borg watching on helpless in the Hamrun goal after 50 minutes.

The same modus operandi set up substitute Jonathan Xerri 20 minutes later following a lull in proceedings but the former Hibernians midfielder headed against the foot of the post with Borg beaten.

But the Stars’ last remaining hopes of getting anything of the game were extinguished four minutes from time when substitute Lee Agius found Spiteri and the striker finished coolly from inside of the box.

After four positive results on the trot, the defeat brought Vittoriosa crashing back to earth.