VALLETTA 1
Falcone 7
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 2
Mashike 61; Guillaumier 72 pen
VALLETTA
C. Formosa, E. Ruiz, S. Dimech (79 T. Caruana), N. Soares (73 E. Sala), E. Pena Beltre (79 W. Jebor), F. Falcone, B. Kamden, B. Paiber, R. Muscat (73 A. Zammit), U. N’Nomo, K. Bevis.
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, E. Domingos (61 J. Mbong), S. Borg, M. Guillaumier, R. Prsa, K. Holmberg (46 E. Mashike), O. Bjelicic, J. Corbalan, Jonny (88 L. Montebello), E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli.
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Yellow cards: S. Borg, E. Pena Beltre.
Ħamrun Spartans booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Izibet FA Trophy as they came from behind to beat Valletta 2-1.
The Citizens held the upper hand for most of the first half, taking an early lead. However, during the second half, the Spartans improved to turn the score in their favour.
Ħamrun had Kalle Holmberg making his first start with Elvis Mashike and Joseph Mbong being among the substitutes.
Valletta, on the other hand, welcomed back Niltinho in the starting line-up while Eslit Sala and Andrea Zammit were included during the second half.
The Citizens had a perfect start, taking the lead on seven minutes. Niltinho dribbled a defender before delivering a fine cross from the right with Federico Falcone heading home in style from close range.
Ħamrun replied with an angled free-kick by Roko Prsa from the right which ended just over the bar on 15 minutes.
But on 27 minutes, Kilian Bevis should have double Valletta’s lead when he received a through ball by Dimech and after rounding a defender, he fired just wide with Bonello beaten.
Following a cross by Ryan Camenzuli from the right, Prsa was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a header on 31 minutes.
On the restart, Branko Nisevic replaced Holmberg with Elvis Mashike in their search for the equaliser and his inclusion had the desired effect as the Spartans became more effective up front.
In fact, Ħamrun managed to equalise on 61 minutes. Prsa had a shot from outside the area partially saved by Formosa and substitute Mashike was at the right place at the right time to hit home.
The Spartans turned the score in their favour on 72 minutes.
Juan Corbalan delivered a cross from the right and Roko Prsa tried to control the ball, only to be brought down by Pena Beltre. Referee Trustin Farrugia Cann ordered a penalty and Matthew Guillaumier duly converted.
Mashike missed a good opportunity hitting the ball sky high on 74 minutes following a good run and a fine assist by Jonny from the right.
Two minutes later, a Jonny effort from outside the area was turned into a corner by Formosa. From the resulting corner, Steve Borg headed just over the bar.
In the 90th minute, substitute William Jebor tested Henry Bonello with a header following a freekick from the left by Triston Caruana.
But in added time, Prsa had a fine shot from the edge of the area turned into a corner by goalkeeper Cain Formosa as the Spartans held on for the win.
