BOV Premier League | Ħamrun Spartans 2 – Gżira United 0

The Spartans Protested for a penalty on the 3rd minute when Patrick Jean Texeira Maia went down inside the penalty area. However, Fyodor Zammit judged it to be a simulation and cautioned the Ħamrun forward.

Ħamrun went close on the 8th minute. Leandro Wallace Motta Dos Santos found Jake Grech inside the area, but the Ħamrun captain saw his effort being blocked by a defender for a corner.

Jonathan Holland’s side had another good opportunity ten minutes later. Jake Grech went on the left flank and delivered the ball towards Texeira Maia. The Brazilian attempted an effort from distance that sailed wide of the post.

On the 30th minute, Texeira Maia created another opportunity for Ħamrun. The striker went on a good run and hit a low shot that was parried by Mauro Boerchio.

Gżira’s only chance in the first half came in the additional time given by the referee prior to half time. Gianmarco Conti went down the left side and delivered a cross that was met by Rafael Pompeo Rodrigues Ledesma who saw his header going slightly wide.

The Maroons produced another chance on the 49th minute. Following a cross inside the penalty area, Jallow Momodou Salieu saw his header ending up over the bar.

Jorge Mesqueu Neto managed to put the Spartans ahead on the 58th minute. Motta Dos Santos sent a cross inside the penalty area towards the Brazilian who headed home in front of an open goal.

On the 73rd minute, Teixeira Maia went close to double the score for Ħamrun after being put through on goal by Jake Grech. However, his effort was blocked by the Gżira goalkeeper.

Gżira responded four minutes later after Correa Duarte Ricardo Calixto delivered a cross that found Rodrigues Ledesma. The thirty-three year old fired a header that went centimetres wide of the post.

On the 87th minute, Jake Grech managed to put the result beyond doubt for Ħamrun after netting their second goal. The nineteen year old went through on goal and placed the ball past Boerchio.

Ħamrun Spartans starting line-up: David Cassar, Luis Miguel Vergara Rodrigues, Philip Chircop, Luke Sciberras, Mesqueu Neto Jorge, Massimiliano Giusti, Luke Grech, Leandro Wallace Motta Dos Santos, Jake Grech, Sergio Raphael Dos Anjos, Patrick Jean Texeira Maia.

Gżira United starting line-up: Mauro Boerchio, Rafael Pompeo Rodrigues Ledesma, Gianmarco Conti, Antonio De Queiroz Machedo Neto, Juan Carlas COrbalan, Andre White, Jallow Momodue Salieu, Jonathan Bondin, Zachary Scerri, Souleymane Diamoutene, Correa Duarte Ricardo Calixto.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Assistant referees: Luke Portelli, Peter Abela

Fourth official: Glen Tonna

BOV player of the match: Jake Grech (Ħamrun Spartans)