Hamrun Spartans moved to just three points behind leaders Sliema Wanderers as they came from behind to beat Floriana 3-1 at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Having a game in hand, the Spartans could join the Wanderers on top should they beat Tarxien Rainbows on Wednesday. Floriana, on the other hand, remain tenth as they suffer their fifth defeat this season.
Floriana took the lead on the 4th minute when off a cross by Ulises Arias from the left, Matias Garcia beat Manuel Bartolo with a fine diagonal shot from the right.
Five minutes later, Hamrun levelled matters courtesy of Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares who received a through pass by Joseph Mbong and slotted the ball home past the Floriana goalkeeper.
On the 29th minute, Hamrun forged ahead when off a cross by Ailton Soares from the left, Matthew Guillaumier flicked the ball in style over the goalkeeper.
The Spartans sealed the issue one minute from time when Franklin Sasere stole the ball off Alex Cini on the left and advanced into the area, serving Marcelo Barbosa, the ball was blocked by the goalkeeper and bounced onto the Brazilian, ending once again at the feet of Franklin Sasere. The Nigerian’s first attempt was blocked by Ruiz but then, he headed the ball home off the rebound.
HAMRUN Manuel Bartolo, Darko Gojkovic, Matthew Guillaumier, Joseph Mbong, Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares (90′ Darren Borg), Franklin Sasere, Elkin Serrano Valero, Juan Carlos Corbalan, Predrag Djordjevic, Karl Micallef (70′ Marcelo Barbosa Junior), Emerson Marcelina (90′ Abdullahi Ige Adeshina).
Coach: Mark Buttigieg
FLORIANA Ini Etim Akpan, Enzo Ruiz, Nicola Leone (63′ Brandon Paiber), Kristian Keqi, Ulises Arias (86′ Siraj Arab Eddin), Jurgen Pisani, Matias Nicolas Garcia, Alex Cini, Jan Busuttil, Ryan Camenzuli, Tiago Adan Fonseca (63′ Flavio Silva Cheveresan).
Coach: Enzo Potenza
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: Sasere, Corbalan, Arias, Pisani, Micallef, Marcelina
BOV Player of the Match: Matthew Guilllaumier