Giusti rubs salt into Stripes’ wounds
Five days after seeing his club being knocked out of the FA Trophy against St Andrews, Birkirkara coach Drazen Besek was forced to endure the painful sight of Hamrun Spartans scoring twice in 18 minutes to inflict anothert defeat that will prompt a bout of soul-searching for the Stripes.
Birkirkara could have few complaints, although they missed influntial players like Srdjan Dimitrov, Joseph Zerafa and Rowen Muscat. There was nothing convincing about their performance, looking flat and threatening only sporadically going forward. Even Vito Plut, whose goals seem to be carrying Birkirkara at the moment, fell short of his usual standard and even contrived to miss a penalty in the first half when the score was still goalless.
Hamrun played with confidence, showed steel in midfield and took the chances that came their way, especially after Vukanac was sent off for Birkirkara on 66 minutes. Midfielder Massimilano Giusti was their hero as he scored a brace.
Both sides played with three defenders at the back and crowded the midfield, where Hamrun bossed their opponents in the opening stages.
Goalmouth action remained much at a premium for the first half hour but Hamrun were the first to threaten when Neto played a long ball from the back to reach the advancing Jake Grech whose low diagonal shot narrowly missed the target.
When Hamrun gave away possession too cheaply, Sciberras’ shot from a distance did not trouble keeper Cassar.
On 37 minutes Birkirkara were awarded a penalty after Chircop fouled Desira Buttigieg inside the area. Plut thumped the ball against the bar from the spot and the chance went begging.
Hamrun lived dangerously during the last 10 minutes of the half as Birkirkara kept up the initiative. From a short Bajada corner, Bubalovic headed the ball over the bar.
Birkirkara introduced James Brincat for Attard at halftime. They began the second half brightly but were let down by a lack of quality with the final ball.
Hamrun , by contrast, created a good chance that brought about their lead after 50 minutes. Massimiliano Giusti picked up Jake Grech’s pass, advanced inside the Birkirkara area and beat keeper Kopric.
Minutes later Giusti turned provider for Texeira but the latter shot wide from a promising position.
Play was interrupted for some time when Hamrun’s keeper Cassar received a blow and finally had to be substituted by Matthew Farrugia.
But the match’s talking point came on 66 minutes when Birkirkara were made to continue playing with ten men.
Vukanac and Texeira entangled on the ball and fell as both ran towards goal. The referee took some time before deciding to show the Birkirkara defender the red card and award Hamrun a free kick. But it looked like a harsh decision.
The Spartans took only two minutes to exploit their numerical superiority and increase their lead. Texeira played a short pass inside the area to Massimiliano Giusti who scored from a narrow angle from the right.
With the points virtually secured, Hamrun ran very few risks at the back.
Birkirkara looked to have totally run out of ideas and, with eight extra minutes given, it was mostly a matter of Hamrun playing out time.
Standings
Hibernians Balzan Valletta Floriana Birkirkara Sliema Hamrun St. Andrews Tarxien Gzira Mosta Pembroke P W D L F APts 14 10 2 2 23 11 32 14 9 3 2 28 16 30 14 8 4 2 23 11 28 14 8 3 3 21 12 27 14 7 3 4 30 13 24 14 6 2 6 17 17 20 14 6 2 6 23 24 20 14 4 3 7 14 22 15 14 3 5 6 14 21 14 14 2 3 9 11 24 9 14 2 3 9 10 24 9 14 2 1 11 14 33 7