Problems mount for Spartans as late goal proves fatal

A goal by Yuri Messias six minutes from time gave Gżira United a narrow win over troubled Ħamrun Spartans. It was a hard fought contest with the Maroons finally edging through as Ħamrun suffered their fourth defeat out of six matches.

Prior to this match Hamrun had won two of their last three matches. As for Gzira, after succumbing to defeat in their opening game against Hibernians they are now unbeaten in their last five matches after draws against Santa Lucia, Sliema and Birkirkara and a win over Valletta. They had lost their opening game to Hibernians.

Two high profile players were missing for this match namely Hamrun Spartans goalkeeper Henry Bonello and Gzira United captain Steve Borg both sustaining injuries with the national team match against Cyprus.

Ħamrun coach Mark Buttigieg gave a starting berth to Spanish goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez while Juan Corbalan replaced Claude Dielna. Gżira’s Luke Tabone filled up for the injured Steve Borg.

Gzira were the better team especially in the first half with their opponents showing some signs of progress in the second forty five minutes.

The first chance of the match was created by the Maroons after just two minutes when a Nikolai Muscat shot from the edge of the area hit the crossbar. And five minutes later a diagonal shot by Jefferson De Assis just missed the target.

Gzira kept on dictating matters and on 27 minutes Yuri Messias blasted the ball over the bar when in an ideal position.

Just past the half hour mark Nevin Portelli sent a teasing cross-shot but Spanish goalkeeper Sanchez was on the alert to save the danger.

Things weren’t working for Hamrun and a minute from the end of the first half they lost Jorge

Ailton Soares through injury.

In the second half Hamrun were more aggressive and created the first chance of the match in the 51st minute when Isaac Ntow tried his luck with a long distance shot but goalkeeper Curmi responded with a good save.

Five minutes later we witnessed the return of Matthew Guillaumier after a lengthy lay off through injury. The Spartans kept pressing forward and seventeen minutes from the end Curmi saved a well executed Oyama free kick.

Just a minute later Joseph Mbong served El Bakhtaoui who chipped the ball over Gzira goalkeeper Curmi but in came Thiago Espindola who cleared off the fatal line.

But against the run of play came Gzira’s winning goal. Six minutes from time Yuri Messias connected to a free kick heading the ball past a helpless Sanchez.

Photo: Hamrun Spartans' Juan Carlos Corbalan (L) is challenged by Nikolai Muscat (R) of Gzira United during the first half. © Domenic Aquilina