360Sports Malta Premier
Tony Bezzina Stadium.
Zabbar St Patrick………0
Hamrun Spartans………1
Ħamrun Spartans secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resilient Żabbar St. Patrick side, with César Menacho netting the decisive goal just before halftime. The win keeps Alessandro Zinnari’s team at the top of the standings with 11 points in the Closing Round, while Żabbar remain on six points as they continue their battle to maintain top-flight status.
Match Summary
⚽ Goal:
- 45’ | Ħamrun Spartans – César Menacho (Assisted by Ryan Camenzuli)
📌 Key Moments:
- 20’ | Missed Penalty – Ħamrun were awarded a penalty after Wallace Bonilha handled the ball, but Joseph Mbong sent his spot-kick wide.
- 45’ | Goal! – César Menacho scored his first goal for Ħamrun, lobbing a Ryan Camenzuli cross over goalkeeper Luca Camilleri.
- 79’ | Żabbar’s Best Chance – Jurgen Pisani had a golden opportunity to equalize but headed straight at Bonello from close range.
- 89’ | Near Miss – Luke Montebello had a chance to seal the win for Ħamrun, but his curling shot drifted wide.
Tactical Adjustments & Substitutions
Żabbar made key second-half changes, introducing Kristian Keqi and Sean Gatt to bolster their attack. They came close to finding an equalizer through a Gambarte free-kick and Pisani’s header, but Ħamrun’s defense held firm.
Meanwhile, Ħamrun brought on Kairou Amoustapha to strengthen their attacking play and maintain control of the game. Elionay Freitas nearly doubled their lead with a header that just missed the target.
Final Thoughts
Despite a spirited performance from Żabbar, Ħamrun maintained their composure and secured all three points. Menacho’s first goal for the club proved decisive, as the Spartans extended their lead at the top. Żabbar, though defeated, showed promise in their fight for survival, with an improved second-half display that nearly earned them a valuable point.
