Hamrun move forward with Tulimieri header

do nothing on Tulimieri’s header who was completely left unmarked to head home from close range.

Hamrun were without the suspended Karl Micallef and Senglea were without the suspended Volpini. The Spartans welcomed back Tulimieri and Criaco who missed the match against Qormi, but had Njongo Priso missing too. Domoroud was again in the thick of the action, but once again was erratic in front of goal.

Senglea held their guard and tried to get at least a draw from this encounter and were almost there thanks to their goalkeeper, but had nothing to offer once they went behind, and the game was practically over the minute Tulimieri headed home.

After barely two minutes play the Senglea custodian made a great save when from a Pepe freekick, Nikolopoulos passed towards Monticelli who first timed in the top corner, but Farrugia was simply outstanding.

Hamrun continued to dictate matters and on nine minutes Farrugia again came to Senglea’s rescue when he blocked Domoraud’s grounder, who was well served by Criaco. After a rather difficult start, Senglea started to share the exchanges with their opponents and on 20 minutes had their first attempt when a Salvati freekick from an ideal position went slightly over the bar.

Five minutes later another Hamrun attack with Calil’s effort going wide. Hamrun continued to insist and Domoraud made his way inside the area but his deflected shot missed the target.

As was the case in the first half, Hamrun went surging forward in the opening minutes of the second half and the Senglea defence was in state of panic for a couple of minutes. Senglea goalkeeper Farrugia was again instrumental saving Domoroud’s point blank effort and then saving Calil’s direct shot from the corner flag.

On 67 minutes Hamrun broke the deadlock when from a Calil corner kick, Kevin Tulimieri completely unmarked at the heart of the Senglea penalty area, headed home past Farrugia. Senglea simply failed to react as Hamrun continued to control the match with relative ease.

Four minutes from time Calil tested Farrugia after a surging run from defence, and on 90 minutes Calil served substitute Ryan Darmanin who with only Farrugia to beat managed to hit the ball wide.

fire Hamrun Spartans fully deserved their victory, and were by far the better side, as their defence once again remained unbeaten. To be fair Hamrun’s defence was barely tested yesterday as the Senglea attack was not present.The Hamrun goalkeeper was never tested, contrary to the Senglea custodian Matthew Farrugia who made a couple of daring saves to keep his side in the game. However Farrugia could

Match winner Kevin Tulimieri in action for the Spartans. Photos: Jonathan Bugeja