News • 11 May 2003

Premier League Round Up by Joe Cardona

Marsa relegated

Hamrun Spartans condemned neighbours Marsa to play First Division football after a 1-0 win on Saturday to claim the 41 derby.

Hamrun and Marsa met for the first time in season 1919/20, with the Spartans claiming 18 (including Saturday’s win) victories, while the RedBlues clinched 13, and the remaining 10 finishing all square.

Saturday’s clash was arguably the most important of them all, because it had to decide which of the two sides would join already-relegated Mosta in the First Division next season.

The Spartans needed only a draw to be certain of avoiding relegation and, after a tense and scoreless first half, Roderick Bajada on 48 minutes sent waves of relief crashing around the National Stadium when he shot past Vallastro.

Marsa had a great opportunity to draw level in the first half when after seven minutes play, Kenneth Abela’s header hit the woodwork from an Anthony Evi Parker cross.

But Hamrun Spartans also hit the woodwork on 73 minutes through a 30-metre bombshell from defender Jonathan Magri Overend with goalkeeper Maurizio Vallastro beaten.

Marsa finished with nine men in the last six minutes after Kenneth Abela and Miguel Corbolan had to leave the ground through injury and couldn’t be substituted because the RedBlues had already made their three available changes.

Marco Borg’s final whistle brought great jubilation in the Hamrun Spartans clan, while Marsa left the pitch heads down after two seasons with the big guns.

Following this win the Spartans closed the Relegation Pool on 21 points, one above Floriana who also secured Premier League status on Friday with a 3-0 win over Mosta, with the three goals coming after the break.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Roderick Bajada (Hamrun Spartans)

REFEREE: Marco Borg

Relegation pool final standings:

Hamrun Spartans – 21 points; Floriana – 20; Marsa – 16 (relegated); Mosta – 6 (relegated).