Impressive Spartans beat Hibernians 4-1

Hamrun Spartans kicked-off their BOV Premier League campaign with a 4-1 win over champions Hibernians at the National Stadium on Monday.

The Spartans scored twice in the first half and although the Paolites pulled one back during the second half, Hamrun scored another two goals in added time to seal the issue.

Hibs are therefore still chasing their first win after a draw with Valletta in their first outing. They had one change from their last outing as Andrei Agius was preferred to Rodolfo Soares.

Making their league debut or Hamrun were Elvis Mashike, Roko Prsa, Ognjen Bjelicic, Jonny do Nascimento and Ryan Camenzuli apart from Steve Sultana, Ederson Bruno Domingos, Luke Montbello and Mousa Balla Sowe who were included as substitutes. 

Hamrun had a perfect start, taking the lead on the 5th minute when Emerson Marcelina headed home off a Roko Prsa freekick from the right.

On the 20th, the Spartans doubled the score when Elvis Mashike stole the ball off Ali Diakite and advanced upfield before releasing Jonny Robert do Nascimento on the right and the latter beat the Hibs custodian with a diagonal shot.

Hamrun could have added another on the 27th but Ailton Jorge Soares was unlucky to hit the crossbar following a good run on the left.

Following an incident between Henry Bonello and Yunusa Muritala which led to both players being substituted, the game was interrupted for almost fifteen minutes with the Hibernians striker had to be taken to hospital.

Hibernians reduced the gap on the 72nd minute thanks to Jurgen Degabriele after jake morillas

Substitute Luke Montebello was unlucky to hit the foot of the upright for Hamrun following a good run on the left.

The fourth official signalled twenty minutes of added time and fourteen minutes in added time, Elvis Mashike Sukisa concluded a swift counter attack by rounding the goalkeeper and placing the ball at the back of the net.

Eighteen minutes in added time, the Spartans scored the fourth goal, once again, courtesy of Elvis Mashike who slotted the ball past Ibrahim Kone after receiving an assist by Guillaumier and rounded two defenders.

>> Hibernians vs Hamrun Spartans match card

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