Spartans turn defeat into victory to regain sole leadership

Hamrun Spartans regained sole leadership in the BOV Premier League as they came from behind to beat Mosta 3-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday.

The Spartans, who now lie two points ahead of Hibernians and three ahead of Sliema. Mosta are fourth on 26 points, five behind Hamrun. This defeat brought to an end a fine run of nine positive results for the team led by Davor Filipovic and Mario Muscat.

Mosta took the lead on the 23rd minute when off a cross by Clayton Failla from the left, Christ Evo Ememe served Bojan Kaljevic who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo.

The Spartans were reduced to ten men on 37 minutes when Elkin Serrano Valero was sent off for a rough tackle on Kevin Tulimieri although the clash between the two seemed to be a fifty-fifty clash.

Hamrun, however, equalised on the 45th minute when off a cross by Karl Micallef from the right, Ailton Jorge dos Santos headed home past Mafoumbi.

Three minutes in added time, the Spartans went close with a great freekick by Matthew Guillaumier from the left which was, however, turned into a corner by Mafoumbi. 

Two minutes in the second half, Joseph Mbong hit the crossbar with a shot from the right.

The Spartans forged ahead on the 51st minute thanks to Franklin Sasere who hit home past the Mosta goalkeeper when served by Emerson Marcelina from the right. 

Mosta had Matias Muchardi sent off on the 65th minute after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Ailton Soares. 

Hamrun could have added another but Joseph Mbong hit the crossbar with a cross shot from the right on the 72nd minute. 

However, a minute later, Hamrun increased the lead thanks to Franklin Sasere who slammed the ball home after a good move by Ailton Soares who entered the area and pulled to the left before serving the Nigerian striker. 

HAMRUN Manuel Bartolo, Darko Gojkovic, Matthew Guillaumier, Joseph Mbong (75’ Soufiane Lagzir), Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares (88’ Darren Borg), Franklin Sasere (86’ Abdullahi Ige Adeshina), Elkin Serrano Valero, Juan Carlos Corbalan, Predrag Djordjevic, Karl Micallef, Emerson Marcelina.
Subs not used: Jonathan Debono, Conor Borg, Christopher Galea, Xylon Portelli.
Coach: Mark Buttigieg

MOSTA Christoffer Mafoumbi, Dejan Debono (68’ Liam Portelli), Christ Evo Ememe, Johann Bezzina, Clayton Failla, Tyrone Farrugia (83’ Nathan Agius), Matias Muchardi, Rafael Morisco, Zachary Brincat (67’ Duane Bonnici), Bojan Kaljevic (72’ Takanori Yokochi), Kevin Tulimieri (46’ Gianluca Sciberras).
Subs not used: Dylan Ciappara, Owen Sammut.
Coach: Davor Filipovic
Goalkeepers Coach: Mario Muscat

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Duncan Spencer
Fourth Official: Andrea Sciriha
Yellow Cards: Bartolo, Micallef, Muchardi
Red Cards: 36’ Elkin Serrano Valero, 65’ Mathias Muchardi
BOV Player of the Match: Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares