Following a defeat to Mosta and a draw with Balzan, Hamrun bounced back in style with a 6-0 win over Naxxar Lions in a match from the 360Sports Malta Premier Opening Round at the National Stadium on Friday.
Hamrun join Sliema Wanderers in third place, one point behind Floriana and two behind Birkirkara but Sliema and Birkirkara have a game in hand.
Naxxar, on the other hand, remain joint-second from bottom with four points as they suffered the fourth defeat in six matches.
The Spartans had three changes from the team which drew with Balzan as Henry Bonello replaced Celio in goal, Matthew Ellul made way for the returning Ryan Camenzuli while Juan Corbalan was preferred to Emerson Marcelina. On the other hand, for Naxxar, coach George Vella opted to start with Ryan Cassar and Hudson while Neil Pace Cocks and Gustavo Barbosa starting on the bench.
Hamrun Spartans managed to take the lead on 13 minutes when off a Roko Prsa freekick, Elionay’s effort was deflected by Nikolai Micallef who risked committing an own goal but somehow goalkeeper Matthias Debono blocked, only for Raphael Lopes to hit home from from close range.
Eleven minutes later, Hamrun doubled the score courtesy of Joseph Mbong, released on the right by Roko Prsa, beat Debono with a powerful angled shot.
On 29 minutes, the Spartans scored the third goal when they were awarded a penalty after Fernando Barbosa floored Chris Ondong Mba inside the area and Luke Montebello converted from the penalty spot.
One minute from the end of the first half, Hamrun scored the fourth goal thanks to Chris Ondong Mba whose diagonal shot from the left beat goalkeeper Debono.
Nine minutes in the second half, Chris Ondong Mba added another as he pounced on a short back-pass by substitute Owen Portelli for the goalkeeper and advanced into the area before slotting the ball past Debono.
Substitute Shaisen Attard, served on the left by Eder, beat Matthias Debono with an angled shot on 77 minutes to make it 6-0.
>> Naxxar Lions vs Hamrun Spartans match card