Impressive win for Spartans on opening day
Hamrun Spartans scored an impressive 4-1 win against 10-man Tarxien Rainbows yesterday to start the season in the best possible manner.
Jacques Scerri’s side showed verve and flair as they destroyed a struggling Tarxien side. Following this win – and especially the performance – the team must look forward with optimism towards a successful season.
On the other hand, the Rainbows were never a match against stronger opponents. They will certainly have to show much better form if they are to avoid trouble in future.
Both teams had several new faces with the Spartans coach Jacques Scerri including six new foreigners in his starting line-up, most of whom left quite a good impression.
On the other hand, Tarxien coach Jose Borg only made use of two foreigners in his starting line-up, showing confidence in local talent by giving a start to nine locals.
In the first half, the Spartans were a superior outfit, dominating midfield and providing the Tarxien defence with a number of anxious moments in their area.
Tarxien were forced to defend for long stretches. They appeared to be a struggling side and never seemed to have given the Spartans any trouble before they eventually pulled a goal back near the end of the half.
Early in the match, Tarxien threatened when following a cross from the right, Luke Grech arrived a second too late to make good contact a few steps away from goal.
Hamrun did not take long to score, however. In the 17th minute, from a Marino Clavero freekick, Tarxien defender Matthew Spiteri had the misfortune of heading into his own net.
In the 20th minute, De Castro also went close with a neat header that just missed the post.
After that play degenerated, even if Hamrun maintained their territorial superiority as the Rainbows appeared to be unable to offer a reaction.
But in the 42nd minute, Hamrun scored a second goal. This time it was Francisco Marino Clavero who fired home an excellent freekick that gave chance.
A few minutes before the interval whistle, Tarxien threatened for the first time through an Ayrton Azzopardi effort that went just over the bar. And a little later, they also managed to pull back a goal, when following a corner, it was Ryan Darmanin who resolved a melee in front of the Spartans’ goal.
In the 56th minute, the Rainbows went close to an equaliser. From an Azzopardi cross, Andrew Agius had a header blocked by goalie Galea. From the rebound, Ryan Darmanin hit wide.
Hamrun were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute when Gomes dos Santos was floored by Andrew Agius. But the same dos Santos saw the Tarxien goalie Chetcuti effecting a great save to deny the Spartans from re-establishing their two-goal lead.
In the 70th minute, from a cross, Zerafa headed goalwards, but Souza de Oliveira headed over the bar from a metre out. A few minutes later, it was goalie Chetcuti who denied De Castro, diving sideways to save his freekick.
Hamrun made sure of the three points in the 79th minute with a third goal. It was Marino Clavero who set Faria Machado and the latter made no mistake with an unstoppable shot.
And they made their victory more resounding in the 90th minute when substitute Cortes Pedro Henrique headed home splendidly an inviting cross from Philip Chircop. goalie Chetcuti no