Samsunspor proved strong as expected as they defeated Hamrun Spartans 3-0 in match day 3 of the league phase of the UEFA Conference League at the Samsun 19 Mayıs Stadyumu in Samsun, Turkiye on Thursday.
While this was the third defeat for Hamrun following 0-1 defeats to Jagiellonia and Lausanne-Sport in the first two matches, Samsunspor registered a third win in as many matches to stay as one of the joint-leaders in the competition.
The visitors held the initiative right from the start and after taking the lead on 18 minutes, they added another two in the second half. The Spartans will now turn their focus to match-day 4 where they will be hosting Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar.
Gianluca Modica opted to hand a start to Matias Garcia and Semir Smajlagic, with Eder and Saliou Thioune starting on the bench on the bench.
Hamrun had a good opportunity on 12 minutes when Ognjen Bjelicic served N’Dri Koffi on the left but his angled shot was turned into a corner by goalkeeper Okan Kocuk.
On 16 minutes, Henry Bonello came to the rescue performing a great save on a Mouandilmadj powerful header when served by Emre Kilinc.
Five minutes later, Samsunspor took the lead when Emre Kilinc served Carlo Holse, who slotted the ball past Bonello. The goal was first disallowed for an offside but following VAR review, the goal was confirmed.
On the hour, Emre Kilinc anticipated the onrushing Bonello, but his shot was blocked on the goal line by Camenzuli with the aid of the upright. Holse placed the ball at the back of the net but the referee had noticed a foul on Polito.
On the restart, Eder and Saliou Thioune replaced Matias Garcia and Samir Smajlagic but on 58 minutes, Emre Kilinc scored the second goal with a fierce shot from outside the area which gave Bonello no chance.
Samsunspor scored the third goal on 76 minutes when off a long ball by the goalkeeper, Holse powered through and his diagonal shot was turned home by Mouandilmadji.
SAMSUNSPOR O. Kocuk, Z. Yavru, L. Satka, N. Van Drongelen, L. Tomasson (80 T. Borevkovic), A. Makoumbou (Y. Emre Cift), E. Kilinc, C. Holse (80 A. Soner), C. Yuksel (87 S. Gonul), A. Musaba (70 P. Yaldir), M. Mouandilmadji.
ĦAMRUN H. Bonello, R. Camenzuli, V. Polito (85 Stijn Meijer), O. Bjelicic, R. Compri (70 S. Xerri), M. Garcia (46 Eder), A. Coric, E. Marcelina, J. Mbong (85 J. Cadenovic), N. Koffi, S. Smajlagic (46 S. Thioune).
Referee: Bulat Sariyev (KAZ)