Hamrun register a double over Tarxien

bows 4-1 match.

The Spartans now move on to the 23-point mark, while Tarxien remain on 10 points.

Hamrun were in command for most of the match, but near the end, Tarxien bridged the gap and the Spartans had to fight hard to keep the Rainbows at bay.

The Spartans enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half as they surged forward in in the first round search of goal which arrived midway through the half.

The Spartans were by far the better team on the field of play as they took control of midfield, keeping their opponents in their own half for most of the time.

In the second half, the Rainbows tried hard to get back on level terms as they also created some chances of their own, but when they suffered a second goal, it seemed to be all over for them, until they reduced the gap from a penalty. However, it was not enough for them to save the match.

In the 5th minute, Hamrun had their first pot at the Tarxien goal – a shot by De Castro which went over the bar.

In the 12th minute, as Hamrun continued to attack, it was Criaco who shot over following a cornerkick action.

Tarxien replied four minutes later as Faria set Matar Dieye who advanced into the Spartans area, but his effort was turned to corner by goalie Sultana.

Hamrun took the lead in the 20th minute when off an Espindola freekick, Tiago Souza da Silveira headed into the Tarxien net.

Just before the interval whistle, Hamrun almost added a second goal when from an Espindola short freekick, Succi came face to face with goalie with goalie Chetcuti, but the latter blocked the Hamrun player’s effort.

Soon after the restart, Tarxien threatened through an Andrew Agius shot which was blocked by a Hamrun defender.

The Spartans added a second goal in the 56th minute when Dale Camilleri passed to Davide Succi who in turn set Marco Criaco for the latter to hit home past Chetcuti.

In the 59th minute, after some good work by Dale Camilleri, Zaccardo crossed into the Tarxien goalmouth, but the ball passed across goal with no takers in sight.

Succi missed a sitter for Hamrun on 67 minutes. Face to face with goalie Chetcuti, he just passed the ball weakly into the safe hands of the Tarxien goalie.

On 76 minutes, Azzopardi had a shot well saved by Sultana to corner, but from the cornerkick, the official noted an infringement in the Spartans area and awarded Tarxien a penalty. From the spotkick, Ricardo Faria made no mistake.

Tarxien now pressed for an equaliser, but the nearest they went to scoring was through a McKay crossshot which passed threateningly across goal. Balzan Valletta Gzira Floriana Hibernians Sliema Hamrun Birkirkara Senglea Ath. Mosta Naxxar Lions Tarxien St. Andrews Lija Athletic PW D L F A Pts 14 9 4 1 23 10 31 14 9 3 2 23 6 30 13 8 3 2 29 15 27 13 7 5 1 28 8 26 13 7 3 3 20 7 24 14 7 3 4 20 12 24 14 7 2 5 23 15 23 13 6 1 6 15 16 19 14 4 3 7 15 19 15 14 4 3 7 16 27 15 14 2 4 8 14 24 10 14 3 1 10 15 37 10 13 2 1 10 11 30 7 13 1 2 10 14 40 5