Important win for Hamrun in direct clash

Tarxien R. vs Hamrun S. 0-1

Hamrun Spartans joined Tarxien Rainbows in seventh place on nine points after defeating them 1-0 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Friday despite playing for over seventy-five minutes in ten men after having a player sent off.

Hamrun held the initiative right from the start. On the 6th minute, Marcelo Pereira released Joao Mawete on the left and the latter concluded a good run but his shot from inside the area was blocked by Anthony Curmi.

The Spartans were reduced to ten men on 15 minutes when Roderick Fenech was sent off by referee Alan Mario Sant in an off-the-ball incident with Anderson Mendes Ribeiro.

However Hamrun still managed to take the lead on the half-hour when off a freekick by Clyde Camoin from the right, the ball was deflected by Kurt Magro past goalkeeper for an own goal.

The Rainbows’ reaction was quite sterile with the only attempt at goal being a rising shot by Kurt Magro from the left ending just wide on 36 minutes.

Three minutes in the second half, off a corner from the right by David Camilleri, Denni Rocha Dos Santos’ goal-bound header was cleared off the goal-line by Mano Micallef. A minute later, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro received a good pass inside the area but hit just wide. On 52 minutes, Ivan Casha came to the rescue for Hamrun, performing a good save on a freekick by Denni.

The Rainbows were now in control but the best chance fell to Marcelo Pereira who tried to surprise Anthony Curmi with a fine lob from the left which however missed the target on the 70th.

In added time, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro was also sent off for Tarxien.

TARXIEN Anthony Curmi, Steve Sadowski, Manuel Caruana, David Camilleri, Gianluca Calabretta, Everton Antonio Pereira, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro, Andrew Decesare (63′ Warren Chircop), Denni Rocha Dos Santos, Ryan Mintoff, Kurt Magro (46′ Mark Tanti).
Subs not used: David Cassar, Stacey Vella, James Shead, Luke Vella Critien, Lee Galea.
Coach: Noel Coleiro

HAMRUN Ivan Casha, Mark Anthony Bonnici, Rupert Mangion, Roderick Fenech, Manolito Micallef, Marcelo Pereira (74′ Mark Barbara), Gaetan Spiteri, Martin Hrubsa, Joao Mawete, Jonathan Holland, Clyde Camoin.
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, John Debattista, Aaron Attard, Mead Mifsud, Lee James Agius.
Coach: Steve D’Amato

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Edward Spiteri
Fourth Official: Clayton Pisani
Yellow Cards: Decesare, Ribeiro, Magro, Micallef, Spiteri
Red Cards: 15′ Roderick Fenech, 45′ Stacey Vella (off the bench), 90′ Anderson Mendes Ribeiro
BOV Player of the Match: Marcelo Pereira
Scorers: 30′ own goal Kurt Magro