Premier League: Birkirkara suffer second consecutive defeat at Ħamrun's expense

Ħamrun registered a very important win when in their first match of the Top Six Opening Round they defeated leaders Birkirkara by two goals to nil.

This was the second consecutive defeats for the Stripes after succumbing to their first seasonal defeat in the closing match of the Opening Round.

On 17 minutes Ħamrun were dealt a blow losing Roko Prsa who left the field injured and was replaced by Kean Scicluna.

Play was restricted for long stretches to the midfield sector and it was only nine minutes from the end of the first half when the Spartans wen near through a Raphael Lopes free-kick which found Marcelina but the latters header missed the target.

On the stroke of half time Birkirkara threatened but Maia blasted the ball over the bar. But it was Ħamrun who forged ahead in first half added time. Corbalan won the ball in the midfield sector passing towards Shaisen Attard who after advancing fired the ball past Volpe.

Birkirkara could have drawn level on 50 minutes but a Satariano effort from the edge of the area just missed the target.

On 70 minutes Ħamrun Spartans increased their lead. Joseph Mbong made his way forward and on entering the opposing area crossed towards Raphael Lopes and blasted the ball past Volpe.

A win which puts the Spartans in fifth place on seventeen points with the Stripes hanging on to top spot but their lead reduced to just two points over Floriana.

Photo: Nicholas Falzon