SLIEMA WANDERERS          2

Marzouk 55

Varela 61        

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS            1

Criaco 50 pen.

Sliema Wanderers boosted their chances of a top-four finish when they came from behind to beat Ħamrun Spartans.

It was a crucial victory for the Wanderers who celebrated their second success under new coach Stefano Maccoppi that lifts them to fourth spot in the standings, one point clear of the same Spartans who suffered their second successive defeat.

The Blues’ victory owes much to their fighting spirit as after a poor first half they found themselves behind early after the restart.

But the Wanderers refused to panic and inspired by their chief forward Younes Marzouk they managed to score twice in the space of six minutes to secure a very important victory.

Ħamrun made several changes from the team that lost to Mosta last month. Emanuel Bartolo was back in goal while Miranda Gomez made his first appearance for the Reds since joining them on loan from St Andrews. Upfront, Carlos Henneberg was preferred to Caetano Calil while Kevin Tulimieri started ahead of Donneil Moukanza.

Sliema coach Stefano Maccoppi made one change to the team that beat Tarxien Rainbows last month as Mathias Muchardi replaced Mark Scerri.

Ħamrun saw more of the ball in the first hal and came close after five minutes when Wilfried Domoraud picked Henneberg inside the area but his header finished wide.

Sliema were forced to make a first change of 25 minutes when the hobbling Frank Temile was replaced by John Mintoff.

Eleven minutes from half-time, Sliema were awarded a free-kick but Younes Marzouk’s inswinger finished over.

Ħamrun had the ball into the Sliema net on 36 minutes when Scicluna stormed clear on the left and his pin-point cross found Henneberg who headed past Jake Galea. However, the ‘goal’ was annulled for offside.

Just before half-time, Ħamrun should have been awarded a penalty when Michele Sansone looked to have deflected the ball with his arm inside the area but referee Mario Apap waved play on.

Ħamrun were off to a fine start in the second half when they took the lead on 50 minutes. Mathias Muchardi floored Andre Scicluna inside the area and from the spot Marco Criaco made no mistake.

But Sliema quickly responded and they drew level on 55 minutes when Varela put John Mintoff clear and he picked Marzouk who stabbed the ball home.

On the hour, Galea did well to keep out Henneberg’s header following a Criaco delivery.

Sliema took the lead on 61 minutes when Sansone’s cross was not dealt with by the Ħamrun defence and in came Ignacio Varela to beat Bartolo from close in.

Twenty minutes from time, Ħamrun came close when Criaco was at the end of Karl Micallef’s cross but his thumping volley was blocked by Kurt Shaw with Galea beaten.

Younes Marzouk was voted as the BOV Player of the match.

 

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore

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