BOV Premier League | Ħamrun Spartans 2 – Pembroke Athleta 1

At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Ħamrun scored twice in the first half to earn a 2-1 win over Pembroke.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Paltemio Barbetti challenging each other for the ball. Photo: Dominic Borg
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Paltemio Barbetti challenging each other for the ball. Photo: Dominic Borg

Ħamrun were close to open the score on the 8th minute. From a free kick, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza fired a shot that forced a great save from Matthew Calleja Cremona.

The Spartans went ahead on the 13th minute. Nanapere Saturday managed to find Jake Grech who hit a shot from distance that went past Calleja Cremona.

Mifsud Triganza doubled the score for Ħamrun on the 18th minute. Patrick Jean Texeira Maia delivered the ball towards the Ħamrun forward who hit a low shot that ended up inside the net.

Pembroke tried to hit back on the 28th minute. Jhonathan Mariano Bernardo went past a defender and sent a shot that was neutralised by Fredrick Tabone.

Artim Shakijri’s side were close again on the 34th minute. Manolito Micallef sent a through ball towards Borche Manevski who went forward before firing a shot that was parried by the Ħamrun goalkeeper.

The Spartans could have made the score 3-0 on the 40th minute. Saturday Nanapere found Mifsud Triganza on the left side of the penalty area. The thirty five year old striker sent a shot that went across the face of goal before hitting the post.

Asani Djeljilj of Pembroke went close in the additional time given by the referee prior to half time. From a free kick, the twenty-one year old saw his shot going centimetres wide of the post.

Pembroke reduced the margin of the score on the 55th minute. Manevski was put through on goal by Manolito Micallef before finishing past Tabone.

On the 73rd minute, Jake Grech fired a shot form a free kick that was neutralised by Pembroke’s goalkeeper.

Pembroke kept putting pressure and had another chance on the 78th minute when Manevski sent a header that was saved by Tabone.

Five minutes from time, Shola Haruna Sholha missed another golden opportunity for Pembroke. Following a cross, the substitute headed wide from an ideal position.

Ħamrun starting line-up: Fredrick Tabone, Glenn Azzopardi, Patrick Jean Teixeira Maia, Mark Anthony Borg, Luke Grech, Nanapere Saturday, Mesqueu Neto Jorge, Leandro Wallace Motta Dos Santos, Jake Grech, Sergio Raphael Dos Anjos, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

Pembroke starting line-up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Asani Djeljilj, Zoran Levanic,  Brandon Muscat, Manolito Micallef, Paltemio Barbetti, Siraj Arab Eddin, Clifford Gauci, Borche Manevski, Jhonathan Mariano Bernardo, Andrea Scozzese.

Referee: Etienne Mangion

Assistant referees: Christopher Francalanza, Sammy Attard

Fourth official: Malcolm Spiteri

BOV player of the match: Nanapere Saturday (Ħamrun)