BOV Premier League | Ħamrun Spartans 0 – Pembroke Athleta 1

Pembroke made a flying start to the match and went ahead after seven minutes. The ball was played back by a Ħamrun defender in the direction of Darren Falzon who went through on goal and finished past David Cassar.

Three minutes later, Cassar was on the alert to deny Falzon from scoring again. From a free kick, the twenty-six year old hit a low shot that forced a good save from the Ħamrun goalkeeper.

Pembroke suffered a setback on the 25th minute when they were forced to change Daniane Jawad after suffering an injury. Brooke Farrugia took his place.

Artem Shakjiri’s side kept on building pressure and nearly increased the margin of the score on the 36th minute. Raphael Alain Kooh Sohna received the ball inside the penalty area and fired a strong shot that went slightly over.

The Spartans responded on the 42nd minute with their first chance on goal. Jake Grech went on the left flank and sent a shot which was easily neutralised by Matthew Calleja Cremona.

Things went from bad to worse for Ħamrun on the 44th minute when Jorge Mesqueu Neto was sent off for a violent conduct. An argument took place at the centre of the pitch and the Ħamrun player hit Stevan Racic of Pembroke. Malcolm Spiteri was close and showed him a straight red card.

The Spartans tried to hit back in the second half and had a good opportunity on the 56th minute. From a corner, Massimiliano Giusti sent a cross inside the penalty area that was met by Sergio Raphael Dos Anjos who headed wide.

On the 65th minute, Giusti of Ħamrun tried his luck once more. The Italian midfielder received the ball from Manolito Micallef and sent a header that went wide.

Five minutes later, it was Jake Grech who had a good chance for Ħamrun. From a free kick, the Ħamrun captain hit a shot that was well saved by Calleja Cremona.

On the 81st minute, Micallef of Ħamrun served substitute player Leandro Wallace Motta Dos Santos and the latter saw his shot going high of target.

Two minutes later, Calleja Cremona was on the alert to deny the Spartans once more. Micallef sent another strong shot from the edge of the penalty area which Pembroke’s goalkeeper managed to neutralise.

In the additional time given by the referee, Pembroke nearly scored their second goal. Ħamrun’s goalkeeper David Cassar went up the field of play to help his team mates in attack. Pembroke won possession and went on a fast counter attack, but Cassar managed to recover and produced a good save to deny Falzon.

Ħamrun Spartans starting line-up: David Cassar, Patrick Jean Teixeira Maia, Manolito Micallef, Luke Sciberras, Luke Grech, Jake Grech, Igor Misan, Brendan Diego Paiber, Massimiliano Giusti, Mesqueu Neto Jorge, Sergio Raphael Dos Anjos.

Pembroke Athleta starting line-up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Darren Falzon, Arber Dhrami, Miguel Attard, Owen Bugeja, Raphael Alain Kooh Sohna, Stevan Racic, Asani Djeljilj, Adreas Scozzese, Zoran Levnaic, Daniane Jawad.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri

Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Chris Azzopardi

Fourth Official: Glen Tonna

BOV player of the match: Zoran Levnaic (Pembroke Athleta)