Ħamrun Spartans secured all three points with a hard-earned 2–1 victory over Tarxien Rainbows, maintaining their strong start as Opening Round winners.

The Spartans had to wait until the closing stages of the first half to break the deadlock, with Matthew Guillaumier marking his return with the opening goal. Jonny then doubled the advantage shortly after the hour mark, but Tarxien refused to surrender and pulled a goal back to keep the contest alive until the final whistle.

Ħamrun handed debuts to Guillaumier and Danilo Bulevardi, while Celio started in goal in place of the injured Henry Bonello. Shaisen Attard and Vincenzo Polito also returned to the starting line-up. Tarxien made five changes from their previous match, with Andrea Cassar starting between the posts and new signings Yilson Mosquera, Petar Panic, Abdelhrahman Al-Hagi and Anthony Abidemi Lokosa all included from the outset.

The opening exchanges were relatively quiet, although Tarxien threatened on 23 minutes when Nhayson’s powerful effort drifted just wide. Ħamrun replied a minute later through Ognjen Bjelicic, whose attempt also missed the target. Cassar then produced a fine save to deny Damir Ceter after good work by Joseph Mbong, while Marcus Grima headed narrowly over from a Mosquera cross shortly before the interval.

Ħamrun eventually took the lead on 44 minutes when Guillaumier struck powerfully from outside the area, with Cassar unable to keep out the effort.

The Spartans doubled their advantage on 62 minutes as Mbong delivered a low cross from the right and substitute Jonny, who had just come on for Bulevardi, finished from close range.

Tarxien responded quickly and reduced the deficit five minutes later. Lokosa controlled a pass from the left, rounded his marker and calmly slotted the ball past Celio to make it 2–1.

The Rainbows pushed hard for an equaliser, with Lokosa heading narrowly wide from a corner on 74 minutes and Ángel Valverde seeing a goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Rafael Compri shortly afterwards. At the other end, Matías García missed a good chance from close range, while Jonny and N’Dri Koffi were both denied late on.

Despite sustained pressure, Tarxien were unable to find a second goal, and Ħamrun held firm until the end to secure the victory. It was also notable that Tarxien finished the match with nine foreign players on the field, exceeding the competition limit following an erroneous substitution, although this did not affect the outcome as the Spartans successfully protected their lead.

Referee: Emanuel Grech
Goals: Guillaumier (44’), Jonny (62’) – Lokosa (67’)