Hamrun Spartans ended their UEFA Conference League – league phase commitments in the 33rd place, one point ahead of Shelbourne and Aberdeen and two ahead of SK Rapid as they lost 3-1 to Shamrock Rovers in match day 6 at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin on Thursday.
The Spartans, therefore, ended their commitments on three points with Shamrock Rovers claiming their first win after obtaining a draw earlier on.
The hosts managed to take the lead thanks to a rather controversial penalty but the Spartans reacted well to level matters. However the dismissal of Joseph Mbong complicated matters and after regaining the lead just before half-time, Shamrock Rovers sealed the issue with a goal in the dying minutes.
Shamrock Rovers managed to take the lead on 14 minutes when Vincenzo Polito blocked a shot by Watts with his arm and referee ordered a penalty with Graham Burke converting from the penalty spot.
Hamrun equalised six minutes later when shots by Mouad El Fanis and Saliou Thoune were blocked but N’Dri Koffi slotted the ball past goalkeeper Edward McGinty.
The Spartans received a major setback on 28 minutes when Joseph Mbong was sent off for a tackle on Ozhianvuna – another harsh decision by referee Marek Radina.
Four minutes in added time, Shamrock Rovers regained the lead when off an assist by Burke from the left, Daniel Grant beat goalkeeper Bonello from close range.
Gaffney was unlucky to hit the foot of the upright for the hosts on 56 minutes as the Hoops increased the pressure on the Spartans.
Four minutes in added time, Shamrock Rovers scored a third goal courtesy of John McGovern who slotted the ball past Bonello off a cross from the right by Matthews.
SHAMROCK ROVERS Edward McGinty, Adam Matthews, Roberto Lopes, Daniel Cleary (60’ Maxim Kovalevskis), Dylan Watts, Graham Burke, Matthew Healy, Rory Gaffney (78’ Aaron Greene), Daniel Grant, Cory O’Sullivan, Victor Ozhanvuna (78’ Sean Kavanagh).
HAMRUN Henry Bonello, Rafael Compri, Nikolai Micallef (76’ Domantas Simkus), Matias Garcia (46’ Jovan Cadjemovic), Saliou Thioune (46’ Stijn Meijer) Joseph Mbong, Vincenzo Polito, N’Dri Koffi (61’ Eder), Ognjen Bjelicic, Mouad El Fanis (76’ Ante Coric), Emerson Marcelina.
Referee: Marek Radina (CZE)
Assistant Rferees: Kamil Hajek, Lukas Machac (CZE)
Fourth Official: Jan Vsetecka (CZE)
VAR: MIroslav Zelinka (CZE)
Assistant VAR Pavel Orel (CZE)