Ħamrun Spartans rounded off the year in emphatic fashion as they swept aside Birkirkara 6–1 in a one-sided encounter at the National Stadium.

The Malta champions were eager to respond after a difficult week that saw them lose to Marsaxlokk in the league and suffer a 3–1 defeat away to Shamrock Rovers in Europe. They did so in style, producing a ruthless display to collect three vital points that cut Floriana’s lead at the top to four, ahead of their direct clash on January 6.

For Birkirkara, it was another painful afternoon, with the Stripes slipping to a fourth consecutive defeat. Apart from brief spells either side of half-time, they struggled to cope with Ħamrun’s intensity and attacking quality, especially on a heavy pitch badly affected by days of torrential rain.

The match itself had been in doubt due to the state of the surface, but after two inspections referee Ishmael Barbara ruled it playable, with kick-off delayed by 30 minutes.

Ħamrun made their intentions clear from the outset, pinning Birkirkara deep inside their own half. Matias Garcia and Mouad El Fanis were heavily involved early on, both testing goalkeeper Manuel Martinez, while Joseph Mbong saw an effort blocked following a rebound.

Birkirkara’s first real chance arrived on 23 minutes when Lucas Macula controlled a long ball inside the area, only to be denied by Henry Bonello. Shortly after, Ħamrun appealed for a penalty when Mbong went down under pressure, but a Football Video Support review upheld the referee’s original decision.

The breakthrough finally came on 36 minutes. Garcia released Raphael Compri down the right and his cross was met by El Fanis, who unleashed a superb volley to beat Martinez and give the Spartans a deserved lead.

Just when Ħamrun appeared set to go into the break ahead, Birkirkara struck back in stoppage time. From a set-piece, Geoffrey Acheampong floated the ball into the area and Stephane Makoma finished clinically to level the score at 1–1.

The Stripes almost stunned the champions again early in the second half, with Kaiden Fenech denied by Bonello after being picked out by Morello. That scare seemed to awaken Ħamrun, who quickly regained control.

On 50 minutes, Garcia restored the lead, latching onto a pass from Mbong and drilling a low shot into the corner. From that moment on, the contest became one-sided.

Ħamrun extended their advantage on 66 minutes when Compri delivered an inviting ball into the area and substitute Saliou Thioune rose to head home. Five minutes later, Garcia struck again after Mbong teed him up, his effort taking a deflection on its way past Martinez.

The goals kept coming. On 74 minutes, Thioune’s shot was deflected into the path of Mbong, who calmly finished to make it 5–1. Martinez prevented further damage with a brave intervention to deny Mbong once more, but there was no stopping the Spartans late on.

Two minutes from time, substitute Jovan Cadjenovic released N’Dri Koffi, who turned smartly and fired past Martinez to complete a comprehensive 6–1 victory.

It was a dominant display from Ħamrun Spartans, who head into the new year with renewed confidence, while Birkirkara are left searching for answers after another difficult outing.