Hamrun Spartans joined Sliema Wanderers on top the BOV Premier League table as they defeated Tarxien Rainbows 5-0 at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday.
For Hamrun, this was the fourth win in five matches to extend their positive run to eight matches Tarxien, on the other hand, remain third from bottom after suffering a fourth consecutive defeat.
The Spartans took the lead on the 7th minute when off a cross by Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares from the left, Marcelo Barbosa Junior beat goalkeeper Jurgen Borg from close range.
On the 18th minute, Hamrun doubled the score when off an assist by Joseph Mbong from the right, deflected by a defender, Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares hit home.
Hamrun increased the lead on the 68th minute thanks to Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares who received a pass just outside the area and beat the Tarxien goalkeeper with a shot from inside the area.
On the 73rd, Marcelo Barbosa scored from close range following a great cross by Blas Cittadini from the left.
Franklin Sasere made it 5-0 four minutes later when off a cross by Ailton Soares, Joseph Mbong hit the upright with a fine header and the Nigerian striker beat Jurgen Borg from a close angle.
HAMRUN Manuel Bartolo, Darko Gojkovic, Matthew Guillaumier (70’ Blas Cittadini), Joseph Mbong, Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares, Franklin Sasere, Ige Adeshina (77’ Christopher Galea), Elkin Serrano Valero, Juan Corbalan (75’ Darren Borg), Predrag Djordjevic (75’ Conor Borg), Marcelo Barbosa (75’ Karl Micallef).
Coach: Mark ButtigiegTARXIEN Jurgen Borg, Brandon Muscat, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Darren Falzon, Vito Plut, Jurgen Debono (86’ Cedric Zahra), Vanger Conceicao, Eduardo Rosado, Kyle Gatt (73’ Karl Pulo), Matthew Tabone, Misael Miranda Gomez (80’ Keith Attard).
Coach: Winston MuscatReferee: Emanuel Grech
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Djordjevic
BOV Player of the Match: Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares