FLORIANA       0

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS                         1

Domoraud 31

Ħamrun Spartans are through to the fourth round of the FA Trophy when they beat Floriana 1-0 at the National Stadium.

Ħamrun enjoyed the bulk of possession for much of the opening 45 minutes.

After only 11 minutes, the Reds were awarded a central free-kick and Sebastian Nayar’s inswinger was turned around the post by the diving Ini Akpan.

The Nigerian goalkeeper was again alert on 22 minutes when he blocked Triston Caruana’s drive.

Ħamrun took a deserve lead on 30 minutes.

Nayar was the provider as he pin-pointed cross found Domoraud who outmuscled his marker and head firmly past Akpan.

Two minutes from the break, Tulimieri connected to Caruana’s free-kick but his headed effort was blocked by Akpan.

Floriana finally threatened on the stroke of half time but Varela fired wide from the edge of the area.

Ugolotti made his first change on 54 minutes when he withdrew Varela and roped in Goran Galesic as he looked to add more flair to his team’s play.

But it was Ħamrun who threatened on 58 minutes when Domoraud exchanged the ball with Calil and his thumping drive was saved by Akpan.

Galesic’s introduction had a positive effect on the Greens who looked more into the game but still could not cause any problems to Manuel Bartolo in the Spartans goal.

In the closing stages, Floriana laid siege to the Spartans goal but the Reds held on for a merited victory.