Superior Spartans cruise past hapless Balzan

BALZAN                     0

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS        4

Montebello 21, 30

Mashike 41

Ederson 69

BALZAN

J. Debono-6, I. Bozovic-5, S. Arab-5.5, M. Grima-6 (87 G. Farrugia), P. Fenech-6.5, A. Torres-6.5, A. Satariano (46 N. Zerjal-6), N. Braunovic (46 B. Mladenovic-6.5), M. Raso-5.5, A. Andreijic (46 Nogurueira-6.5), B. Kaljevic-6 (87 J. Grech).

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS

H. Bonello-6.5 (72 A. Curmi), L. Montebello-7.5 (63 Dodo), E. Mashike-7, R. Prsa-6.5, K. Holmberg-6 (77 B. Buhagiar), Ederson-6.5, O. Bjelicic-6, J. Corbolan-6 (77 S. Xerri), Jonny-7 (63 J. Mbong), E. Marcelina-6, R. Camenzuli-6.

Referee Tustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards Bozovic, Fenech.

BOV Player of the match Luke Montebello (Hamrun Spartans).

Ħamrun Spartans resumed their title-winning celebrations with a 4-0 thrashing of Balzan at the National Stadium.

The Spartans had nothing but bragging rights to fight for in Saturday’s matchup after having mathematically secured top spot before the international break, while Balzan, who started the match in fourth place – a point below Birkirkara – had the most to lose with a berth in European competition still at stake.

In spite of this, it was Branko Nisevic’s clan who looked the strongest on the pitch albeit with nothing to show for it in the opening stages of the match.

In fact, it took 19 minutes before Ederson fired the first real shot, one which went wide.

Two minutes later however, the fun started for Ħamrun as a throughball into the area found Luke Montebello ready to cut from the left to fire in a low shot which drifted off the post and into the net behind the outstretched Jonathan Debono.

On the halfhour, Ħamrun went close to doubling their lead when an Ederson cross fell to Montebello but the forward skied his effort.

However, Montebello made up for the previous error, before even having time to process it, when he benefitted off a defensive error by Balzan before hitting low into the bottom corner yet again.

Balzan finally replied on 32 minutes with an angled shot from Bojan Kaljevic but Henry Bonello was alert to parry away into a corner.

On 41 minutes, the match was all but over when Montebello turned provider this time, hitting a cross which Elvis Mashike tapped home.

A minute later however, Balzan had their best chance with an Angel Torres effort which slammed against the upright.

Oliver Spiteri made three changes before the restart as Balzan had looked second best all throughout the first half. However, they did try their luck immediately this time with a Bogdan Mladenovic shot from the right.

As the half progressed, Balzan’s changes began to affect their difference as Bonello was called into action twice before the hour mark.

However, Ederson sent the game to bed on 69 minutes when another defensive mistake saw the Brazilian move past his marker and hit another blow to the bottom corner past Debono.