Three penalties push Msida into deeper trouble — Camilo scores four in fine win over Sliema

Hamrun Spartans secured their Premier League status and pushed Msida St. Joseph closer to Division 1 after beating them 5-3. In fact, even if they win the last three matches, the Saints would still be relegated should Floriana claim one point from the remaining matches.

Ironically, Msida were leading the score on three occasions but each time, the Spartans managed to equalise before eventually turning the score in their favour.

Msida had Baldassare Borg and Charlie Black making their first appearance in the starting line-up as they lacked several players including Andrew Formosa, Kevin Mifsud, Roderick Baldacchino, Cedric Sciberras, Iro Curmi, Kalenga Ndayi and Emiliano Lattes. The Spartans, on the other hand, lacked Mark Anthony Bonnici and the suspended Diego Cucciardi.

Hamrun had the first attempt at goal after just three minutes when off a cross from the right by Ian Zammit, Obinna Obiefule concluded high.

Msida however, managed to take the lead on the 7th when off a Charlie Black corner from the right, Zoran Levnaic flicked the ball home from close range.

Hamrun levelled matters two minutes later with Roderick Fenech heading past goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo following a cross from the left by Marcelo Pereira.

The Saints regained the lead on 19 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Lee James Agius brought Miguel Ciantar down inside the area. From the penalty spot, Msida goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo beat Hamrun custodian Ivan Casha to make it 2-1.

On 24 minutes, Marcelo Pereira, served by Manolito Micallef, entered the penalty area but his conclusion was turned by Bartolo into a corner. Two minutes later, Ian Zammit tested Bartolo with a low shot from the right.

Marcelo Pereira served Gaetan Spiteri with an intelligent throughpass on 35 minutes but the latter’s effort was neutralised by Manuel Bartolo. A minute later, Ian Zammit had a close-range shot blocked by the Msida goalkeeper and off the rebound, Obinna Obiefule’s goal-bound shot was cleared off the goal-line by a defender. A powerful drive by Roderick Fenech hit the crossbar on 38 minutes.

The Spartans levelled matters on 39 minutes when Marcelo Pereira converted a penalty after Tyrone Farrugia floored Obiefule inside the area.

Msida, however, restored the lead a minute later when Miguel Ciantar received a through pass on the left and after advancing into the area, he hit low past goalkeeper Ivan Casha.

But two minutes from the end of the first half, Hamrun were awarded another penalty after Adrian Farrugia handled the ball inside the area. Marcelo Pereira’s powerful spot-kick beat Bartolo to make it 3-3.

The Spartans forged ahead two minutes in the second half when off a Clyde Camoin corner, Manolito Micallef’s effort was blocked and off the rebound, Gaetan Spiteri hit home close range.

Msida replied with a shot by Vincenzo Brincat from the edge of the area which was neutralised by Ivan Casha on the hour. On 72 minutes, Lydon Micallef came to the rescue clearing into a corner a cross from the right by Manolito Micallef. A minute later, a powerful shot by Pereira from the right was blocked by Bartolo.

On 77 minutes, Manolito Micallef was floored inside the area by a defender. Referee Marco Borg ordered another penalty and this time, Ian Zammit converted from the penalty spot to make it 5-3.

Marcelo Pereira was voted BOV Player of the Match.

MSIDA Manuel Bartolo, Lydon Micallef, Matthew Borda, Tyrone Farrugia, Adrian Farrugia, Zoran Levnaic, Joseph Damato (81’ Larson Agius), Adam Spiteri, Baldassare Borg (70’ Luke Saliba), Charlie Black (28’ Vincenzo Brincat), Miguel Ciantar.
Subs not used: Gallen Mifsud, Kurt Grech, Damien Debono, Daniel Borda.
Coach: Keith Gouder

HAMRUN Ivan Casha, Rupert Mangion, Roderick Fenech, Manolito Micallef, Lee James Agius (57’ Jonathan Holland), Marcelo Pereira, Gaetan Spiteri, Martin Hrubsa, Obinna Polycarp Obiefule (79’ Mark Barbara), Clyde Camoin (51’ Neville Galea), Ian Zammit.
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, Aaron Attard, Mead Mifsud, Timothy Fleri Soler.
Coach: Steve D’Amato Asst. Coach: Marco Grech

Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Mariano Debono
Fourth Official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: T. Farrugia, M. Ciantar, A. Farrugia, M. Borda, L. Micallef, M. Hrubsa
Scorers: 7′ Zoran Levnaic (M); 9′ Roderick Fenech (H); 19′ Manuel Bartolo (pen) (M); 39′ Marcelo Pereira (pen)(H); 40′ Miguel Ciantar (M), 43′ Marcelo Pereira (pen)(H); 47′ Gaetan Spiteri (H), 77’ Ian Zammit (pen) (H)

Photo: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com

Meanwhile in the second game, Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo scored four as Qormi return to winning ways, beating Sliema Wanderers 4-0. With these four goals, Camilo increased his tally to twenty-two Qormi, on the other hand, join the Blues in third place on 24 points.

The Wanderers welcomed back Ivan Woods who missed the last game against Hibernians but Mark Scerri was missing once again as he recovers from an injury. On the other hand, Matthew Bartolo and Stefan Giglio were missing for Qormi.

Sliema had the first attempt at goal on the 5th minute with Ryan Fenech testing Matthew Farrugia with a long-distance shot.

Qormi managed to take the lead on 37 minutes thanks to a penalty converted by Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo after the Brazilian striker was brought down inside the area by Josef Mifsud.

Two minutes from the end of the first half, Alfred Effiong advanced on the left serving Camilo but the latter’s fine shot ended high while a shot by Ivan Woods, following a cross by Clayton Failla from the right ended wide in added time.

Seven minutes in the second half, Qormi were awarded another penalty after Lucian Dronca floored Alfred Effiong inside the area. From the penalty spot, Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo made no mistake to double the score.

Effiong could have increased the lead further on the 70th when he concluded a good run on the right with a powerful shot which scraped past the post. Two minutes later, Effiong went close once again with a good header off a Stephen Wellman freekick from the right.

In the mean time, Sliema coach Mark Marlow was sent off by referee Chris Lautier

On the other side of the pitch, on 73 minutes, a freekick by Ryan Fenech from the right was not held by Matthew Farrugia, the ball bounced on Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza ending just over the bar.

Qormi scored the third goal on 82 minutes when Alfred Effiong served Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo on the right and the latter slammed the ball home past goalkeeper Simon Agius.

Three minutes from time, Camilo scored another one as Simon Agius failed to control the ball on the edge of the area and the Brazilian striker placed the ball at the back of the net.

Alfred Effiong was voted BOV Player of the Match.

SLIEMA Simon Agius, Alex Muscat, Ian Azzopardi, Josef Mifsud, Ryan Fenech, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Ivan Woods, Lucian Dronca, Julio Cesar Alcorse, Pedro Dos Santos Calcado, Clayton Failla (62’ Noel Turner).
Subs not used: Jeremy Alden, Luca Martinelli, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Amadeo Mercieca, Ian Ciantar, John Mintoff.
Coach: Mark Marlow

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Duncan Pisani, Ramon Dos Santos, Massimo Grima, Keith Fenech (89’ George Chircop), Alfred Effiong (86’ Steve Meilak), Joseph Farrugia, Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo, Ryan Deguara (89’ Kenneth Spiteri), Jonathan Bondin, Stephen Wellman.
Subs not used: Matthew Camilleri, Malcolm Buttigieg, Gabriel Buttigieg, Roderick Sammut.
Coach: Vince Carbonaro Team Manager: Jesmond Zerafa

Referee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Malcolm Mercieca
Fourth Official: Clayton Pisani
Yellow Cards: Mifsud, Dronca, K. Fenech, Wellman
Scorers: 37’ Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo (pen), 53’ Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo (pen), 82’ Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo, 87’ Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo