Hamrun Spartans turn defeat into victory

BOV-Premier-LeagueHamrun Spartans bounced back from the defeat to Birkirkara last week as they came from behind to beat St. Andrews 3-1 at the National Stadium on Sunday.

For Hamrun, this was the second defeat in four matches while for St. Andrews, this was the third defeat in four matches.

The Spartans had two changes from the team which lost to Birkirkara as Mark Anthony Borg and Christian Maldini replaced Glenn Azzopardi and Saturday Nanapere. The Saints, on the other hand, had three changes from the team which defeated Tarxien as Bong Won Che, Ivan Edgardo Paz and the returning Enmy Manuel Pena Beltre replaced Kyrian Nwoko, Ryan Darmanin and the suspended Ante Bakmaz.

St. Andrews managed to take the lead on the 33rd minute after referee Eman Grech awarded a penalty over a foul inside the area. From the penalty spot, Joseph Farrugia made no mistake.

Hamrun levelled matters on the 45th when off a cross by Haruna Garba, Massimiliano Giusti’s low first-time effort from the right beat goalkeeper Jake Galea.

Eleven minutes in the second half, the Spartans forged ahead when Haruna Garba, served on the left, advanced into the area before beating goalkeeper Jake Galea with a lob.

On the hour, Hamrun made it 3-1 thanks to another goal by Haruna Garba who hit home from close range following a cross from the right by Jake Grech.

HAMRUN David Cassar, Philip Chircop, Christian Maldini, Haruna Garba (82′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Sergio Raphael dos Anjos Raphael, Luke Sciberras, Massimiliano Giusti (90′ Daren Falzon), Leandro Wallace Motta dos Santos (66′ Saturday Nanapere), Jake Grech, Jorge Mequeu Neto, Mark Anthony Borg.
Subs not used: Matthew Farrugia, Luke Grech, Rodney Refalo, Glenn Azzopardi.
Coach: Steve D’Amato

ST. ANDREWS Jake Galea, Michael Johnson, Karlo Kesinovic, Bong Won Che (85′ Jacob Walker), Felix Udoh Okon, Enmy Manuel Pena Beltre, Dale Camilleri (89′ Liam Grech), Joseph Farrugia, Daniel Brandle (63′ Ryan Darmanin), Ziga Kastrevec, Ivan Edgardo Paz.
Subs not used: Dean Sciberras, Ryan Sammut, Miguel D’Alessandro, Jamie Magri Overend.
Coach: Jose Borg

Referee: Eman Grech
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, David Castillo
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: Raphael, Borg, Brandle, Jorginho
BOV Player of the Match: Haruna Garba