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28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 APRIL 2019 BOV PREMIER LEAGUE SPORTS WARREN ZAMMIT VALLETTA and Hibernians will face each other in a match that will determine who will win the BOV Premier League after Hamrun scored a dramat- ic equaliser against the team from the capital. Valletta were forced into a de- cider for the Premier League ti- tle against Hibernians after the team from the capital suffered a late equaliser from a spirited Hamrun side. Valletta came into this match looking to retain the BOV Pre- mier League. However, they were up against a lively Ham- run side that has experienced a positive season. But the Spartans also needed points in order to finish fourth and have a chance to clinch a spot in the Europa League. The match was characterised by the large number of sup- porters of both sides who went to support their respective teams. In fact, an attendance of 5,593 was registered at the Na- tional Stadium in Ta' Qali. Valletta were the better side during the first half as they managed to control possession. They were careful at the back and managed to keep Hamrun at bay. The city players created the first opportunity of the match after 15 minutes. Santiago Ma- lano played the ball towards Mario Fontanella whose effort from the left was blocked by Manuel Bartolo. Bartolo had to be alert again to deny Fontanella from the resulting corner. Miguel Angel Alba's delivery went into the path of the Italian who saw his shot from inside the penalty ar- ea being blocked by Hamrun's custodian. As time went by, Valletta grew more in the game and managed to break the deadlock on the half hour mark. Follow- ing a horrific mistake by An- dre` Charles Scicluna, Fonta- nella took hold of the ball and fired a thumping shot that gave Bartolo no chance. Hamrun hit back on the brink of half time. Kevin Tulimieri's overhead kick went in the path of Wilfried Domoraud whose half volley ended up on the net. The tempo of the match was slow during the second half as Alan Mario Sant had to stop play during a number of oc- casions. Hamrun saw more of the ball, but were unable to threaten Valletta. However, the Spartans managed to capitalise on their only chance created during the second half. Valletta ended with 10 men two minutes from time. Substi- tute Ibrahim Saleh was shown two yellow cards in less than 60 seconds. Hamrun made the best out of their extra man and got the point they needed on the 93rd min- ute. Triston Caruana's long ball forward went into the path of Moukanza who slotted the ball past Bonello from close range. Following this result, Hamrun placed fourth and will clinch a place in the Europa League if Valletta, Hibernians or Gzira United win the FA Trophy. Hamrun Spartans starting line-up: Emmanuel Bartolo, En- rico Pepe, Triston Caruana, Se- bastian Nayar (Conor Borg-55), Wilfried Domoraud, Andre` Charles Scicluna (Matthew Robert Gauci-55), Karl Micallef, Donneil Alain Moukanza, Ores- tis Nikolopoulos, Caetano Calil, Kevin Tulimieri (Ryan Darma- nin-75) Valletta starting line-up: Hen- ry Bonello, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Kyr- ian Nwoko (Bojan Kaljevic-85), Enmy Pena Beltre, Joseph Zera- fa, Rowen Muscat, Miguel Angel Alba (Ibrahim Saleh-68), Mario Fontanella Referee: Alan Mario Sant Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Paul Apap Fourth Official: Fyodor Zam- mit BOV Player of the Match: Mario Fontanella (Valletta) Late Hamrun equaliser denies Valletta the championship Hamrun Spartans Valletta 1 1 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG