ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 1
Ganci 82
ST ANDREWS 0
Hamrun Spartans picked their second league win of the season when they overcame ten-man St Andrew's 1-0 at the National Stadium.
Massimo Ganci netted the all-important goal eight minutes from time that kept the Spartans in the top part of the standings.
The Italian striker was at the heart of all Spartans' moves of the first half.
On 16 minutes, Priso initiated a swift break which saw him release Ganci but the Italian fired wide with only Calleja Cremona to beat.
Hamrun kept up the pressure and ten minutes later Karl Micallef’s teasing cross found Ganci who headed wide.
St Andrews were forced to continue to soak up the pressure and nine minutes from the break Priso found Tulimieri whose shot was deflected just wide.
The Saints suffered a blow a minute later when Brown, who was already booked, received a second yellow card for a rough challenge on Tulimieri and was dismissed.
The Reds were now pounding forward with more aggression and on 41 minutes Calil played in Tulimieri who hit an angled drive that rolled across the face of goal and just beyond Ganci’s extended foot.
On the restart, Hamrun maintained the initiative and on 53 minutes Nayar came close when his inswinger was pushed away by Calleja Cremona.
A defensive mix-up between Nayar and Micallef almost regaled the Saints the opener when Reid seized possession but his low drive was blocked by Calleja Cremona.
Hamrun finally came close on 67 minutes when Calil picked Priso who set up Tulimieri but his volley flashed wide.
The Spartans’ pressure finally found a breakthrough eight minutes from time. They were awarded a free-kick on the right and Nayar’s cross was pushed away by Calleja Cremona and from the rebound Ganci hammered the ball into the net.
Massimo Ganci was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.
Mosta lower Tarxien’s colours
Mosta went on the six-point mark after beating Tarxien Rainbows 3-1.
Alex Nilsson gave the Mosta defenders something to think about. Nilsson was in action very early but his low shot crashed against the foot of the post.
Mosta relied on snap forays, one of which on 18 minutes, saw Misael Miranda releasing himself from his midfield and once he popped inside the area, the nippy midfielder unleashed a shot behind Andrea Cassar.
Mosta were rewarded for the superior volume of play just before half-time. From corner, James Brincat served Tyrone Farrugia inside the area and the sturdy defender took his chance to plant his shot past Cassar.
Yet, Paolucci, Tarxien’s most persistent striker, managed to reduce the deficit a minute before half-time when he hit a right-footed shot behind Andreas Vella.
Mosta remained clinical in their finish after the break and netted their third goal with another well-taken goal. Miranda took the ball outside the area and served Brincat who drove the ball under the body of Cassar.