Hamrun Spartans scored four in the first half as they defeated Floriana 5-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday to move secure the tenth championship in the history of the club.
For Hamrun, this was the second successive title and the third one in four years.
Floriana, on the other hand, produced a highly disappointing performance which saw them being unable to react after conceding two goals in the first eighteen minutes. Therefore they have to settle for second place as they make a return to European football.
Coach Mauro Camoranesi handed goalkeeper Nemanja Andrijanic his debut in the absence of Georgi Kitanov while opting to start with Alexandros Kouro and Matheus Souza on the bench. On the other hand, Hamrun coach Luciano Zauri opted to start with Seth Paintsil in attack despite the availability of Uros Djuranovic.
The Spartans forged ahead on the 8th minute when off a cross by Ryan Camenzuli from the left, Seth Paintsil headed home past goalkeeper Nemanja Andrijanic.
Two minutes later, Hamrun went close to doubling the score when Jonny advanced on the right but Andrijanic blocked his close-range effort into a corner. From the resulting corner by Montebello, Steve Borg headed just wide. On 13 minutes, following a swift counter break, Eder served Paintsil on the right but his attempt was neutralised by the Floriana custodian.
Hamrun scored the second goal on the 18th minute when Luke Montebello, served on the left, had a low shot partially saved by Andrijanic and off the rebound, Seth Paintil hit hard past the Floriana goalkeeper.
A freekick from the right by Roko Prsa on the half hour was neutralised by Andrijanic.
Five minutes from the end of the first half, the Spartans scored the third goal when Elionay released Jonny on the right and the latter served Seth Paintsil who slotted the ball past Nemanja Andrijanic.
On the 45th, Marchetti saved partially a Willis Furtado freekick and a few seconds later, the Hamrun goalkeeper performed a great save on the goal line on a fine header by Christos Rovas.
However two minutes in added time, Hamrun scored the fourth goal when following a clearance by Floriana defender, Joseph Mbong’s low shot was blocked by Andrijanic and Elionay slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.
In the second half, the Spartans controlled without particular difficulty and Jonny went close to increasing the lead with a diagonal shot which scraped past the post on the 66th minutes.
However four minutes later, Hamrun scored the fifth goal when Seth Paintsil received a through ball on the right and sped past the goalkeeper who was forced to rush out of the area placing the ball at the back of the net with an angled shot.
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