360Sports Malta Premier – MD27
Ħamrun Spartans……………….4
Naxxar Lions……………………..0
Ħamrun Spartans secured their place in the Top Six of the championship after dominating Naxxar Lions with a convincing 4-0 victory.
Although Ħamrun finished level on points with Hibernians, it was the Spartans who clinched the crucial spot thanks to their superior head-to-head record.
The Spartans threatened early in the 8th minute when a left-sided cross found Roko Prsa, whose header forced Andre Fenech into a save, conceding a corner. From the resulting set-piece, Naxxar captain Neil Pace Cocks, under pressure, inadvertently put the ball into his own net to give Ħamrun the lead.
Stunned, Naxxar soon conceded a second in the 24th minute in bizarre fashion. Ħamrun goalkeeper Henry Bonello launched a long clearance, aided by the wind, which caught out Fenech and found the back of the net for a rare goalkeeper goal.
Just a minute later, Raphael Lopes struck the post for Ħamrun, but from the resulting corner, Roko Prsa made it 3-0 with a direct goal straight from the corner kick, sending the Spartans into the break comfortably ahead.
In the second half, Ħamrun maintained control and almost added a fourth in the 50th minute when substitute Mihael Klepac fired just wide.
Naxxar’s best chance came in the 66th minute, but Ito Yasukaze’s shot went well off target. Ħamrun, however, showed no signs of slowing down and sealed the win when Brazilian striker Raphael Lopes capitalised on a defensive error to slot home the fourth goal with a precise low finish past Fenech.
The final whistle sparked celebrations among the travelling Spartans supporters present at the Gozo Stadium, as they kept alive their hopes of fighting for the league title.
Referee: Alex Johnson
Player of the Match: Roko Prsa (Ħamrun Spartans)
