Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1060184
28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 DECEMBER 2018 BOV PREMIER LEAGUE SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG Hamrun beat Pietà in a five goal thriller Valletta demolish Tarxien Rainbows FIVE goals scored in the space of twelve minutes made all the difference as Ħamrun secured a hard fought 3-2 win over Pietà Hotspurs Ħamrun came into this match look- ing to collect the three points in order to move closer towards an Europa League spot. The Spartans were coming from a 2-2 draw against Balzan and thus they were out for a must win over Pietà in or- der to remain on track. On the other hand, Pietà Hotspurs also needed points from this match in order to move away from the danger zone. The Hotspurs were coming from a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Tarxien Rainbows. The Spartans started well and threat- ened Pietà after three minutes. Caetano Calil's shot from a distance was neutral- ised by Nicholas George Vella. Pietà hit back on the 20th minute. Ga- briel Mensah's cross shot from the right was blocked by Emmanuel Bartolo. Bartolo denied Pietà from scoring the opening goal of the match on the 27th minute. Paul Chimezie drilled a low shot that was parried by Ħamrun's goalkeep- er. However, Ħamrun hit back and forged ahead on the 32nd minute. Marco Cria- co's delivery inside the penalty area was met by Triston Caruana and the latter headed the ball past Vella. Giovanni Tedesco's side added anoth- er one, three minutes later. Following a cross from the right by Wilfried Joselin Domoraud, Kevin Tulimieri's shot took a deflection off a defender and went inside the net. Pietà pulled one back on the 38th min- ute. Mensah was on the receiving end of a cross and placed the ball home. The drama continued as Pietà equal- ised two minutes later. Neil Pace Cocks delivered a dangerous ball from a free- kick which was met by Antonio Orlando Macedo who placed the ball home from close range. The goals kept coming as Ħamrun re- gained the lead one minute prior to half- time. Caruana sent a long ball inside the penalty area, Domoraud followed it, and slotted the ball inside the net. Ħamrun started the second half look- ing to add on to their lead and went close on the 46th minute. Tulimieri went down the left flank and hit a low shot that forced a good save from Pietà custodian. Pietà responded on the 53rd minute. Mensah fired a low shot from the edge of the penalty area that forced an excellent save from Bartolo. Domoraud lost a golden opportunity to score again on the 59th minute. The French forward anticipated Vella who rushed forward and lobbed the ball be- hind him. He attempted to head the ball inside an open goal, but his effort hit the post. Pietà increased their efforts in the latter stages of the match and created another chance on the 82nd minute. Ishaya Irmi- ya Jalo unleashed a powerful drive from a distance but failed to hit the target. Ħamrun were reduced to ten men in the additional time as Orestis Nikolo- poulos was sent off after being shown his second yellow card. However, despite Pietà's efforts, Ħamrun held firm to collect the three points. Ħamrun Spartans starting line-up: Emmanuel Bartolo, Antonio Monticelli, Enrico Pepe, Triston Caruana, Wilfried Joselin Domoraud, Matthew Robert Gauci, Marco Criaco, Karl Micallef, Or- estis Nikolopoulos, Caetano Calil, Kevin Tulimieri Pietà Hotspurs starting line-up: Nicholas George Vella, Ose Takaki, Neil Pace Cocks, Dylan Agius, Paul Chimezie, Jan Busuttil, Gabriel Mensah, Juan Man- ual Artiago Roa, Christian Grech, Irmiya Ishaya Jalo, Antonio Orlando Macedo Referee: Emanuel Grech Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Theodore Zammit Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri BOV Player of the Match: Triston Caruana (Ħamrun) Hamrun Spartans Pietà Hotspurs 3 2 PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG VALLETTA'S impressive form continued as they thrashed Tarxien 0-7 yesterday. Valletta forged ahead after five minutes. Steve Borg deliv- ered a long ball towards Bojan Kaljevic. The Monetengrin striker turned past his marker and fired the ball inside the net. The Citizens doubled their advantage on the 13th minute. Daniel Zerafa failed to clear his marks with the ball falling for Mario Fontanella and the lat- ter finished home. Matteo Picciolo added an- other for Valletta on the 25th minute. Ibrahim Saleh's shot was deflected into the path of the Italian who placed the ball past Andrea Cassar. Valletta scored the fourth goal on the 34th minute. Saleh went round two defenders and blasted the ball inside the net. The score became 5-0 on the 41st minute. Fontanella made the most out of a defensive mistake by Tarxien's defend- ers and fired home. Valletta scored again on the 58th minute. Saleh was brought down inside the penalty area by Andre` Sci- cluna and the referee pointed towards the spot. Kaljevic stepped up and converted. Fontanella completed his hat-trick on the 70th minute. Zied Soussi's cross was met by the Italian forward who slot- ted the ball inside the net once more. Tarxien Rainbows starting line-up: Andrea Cassar, Mar- co Botta, Jens Wemmer, Dan- iel Zerafa, Michele Paolucci, Andrew Agius, Andre` Sci- cluna, Stefan Rodavanovic, Anderson De Barros, Ricardo Silva Faria, Jacson de Paixao Neponuceno Valletta starting line-up: Henry Bonello, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Santia- go Malano, Matteo Picciolo, Jean Borg, Enmy Manuel Pena Beltre, Ibrahim Saleh, Rowen Muscat, Bojan Kaljevic, Mario Fontanella BOV Player of the Match: Matteo Picciolo (Valletta)