Spartans survive penalty scare to grind out draw at FC Ballkani

FC BALLKANI   0

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS   0

FC BALLKANI

E. Kolici, G. Halili, A. Thaqi, B. Jashanica, A. Potoku (G. Smajli), Queven (86 E. Abedini), L. Emerllahu, M. Ismajlgeci (60 A. Engjell), W. Hamidi, B. Karrica (78 K. Dulaj), A. Kryeziu (78 B. Tolaj).

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS

H. Bonello, S. Borg (64 W. Barros), E. Marcelina, Mayron, M. Ellul, J. Mbong (49 J. Corbalan), R. Prsa, Elionay (64 Talison), D. Letherby, Vitao (64 L. Montebello), R. Lopes.

Referee: W. Altmann (Austria).

Yellow cards: Lopes, Borg, Smajli.

Missed penalty: Emerllahu (B) 21

Ħamrun Spartans survived a penalty scare in the first half to grind out a precious goalless draw against FC Ballkani in Kosovo to keep their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie alive ahead of next week’s second leg.

It was a hard-working display by Alessandro Zinnari’s team who focused on defending their goal for much of the match with the home side enjoying long spells of possession.

The turning point of the match arrived on 21 minutes when Ballkani were awarded a penalty but Lindon Emerlahu fired wide and from then on the Spartans fought hard to grind out a goalless draw.

The tie will now be decided in next week’s second leg but no doubt the Spartans need to improve their attacking play after failing to have a shot on target during Tuesday’s match.

Ħamrun coach Alessandro Zinnari made a number of changes to his starting formation.

Mayron was back in the starting XI at the expense of Eder while Mattias Ellul started ahead of Ryan Camenzuli.

In midfield, Daniel Letherby and Elionay, back from suspension, partnered Roko Prsa while Vitao was handed his first start as Wendell Barros and Talison were among the substitutes.

The Spartans started brightly but as the minutes passed Ballkani held the initiative without never threatening Henry Bonello in the Spartans’ goal.

On 21 minutes, Ballkani had a huge opportunity to take the lead when Marcelina was adjudged to have fouled Karrica just inside the area with the referee pointing to the spot.

Lindon Emerlahu stepped up but incredibly fired wide off the post to the dismay of the home fans.

From then on, the home side continued to dominate the proceedings but never threatened Bonello in the Spartans goals as a very low key first half came to a close.

After the break, Ballkani tried to up their ante with Ħamrun losing Joseph Mbong in the opening minutes of restart due to injury and was replaced by Juan Corbalan.

On 62 minutes, Ballkani thought that they had taken the lead when Hamidi hit a low drive from the edge of the area that was pushed away by Bonello and from the rebound Queven fired home.

However, the assistant referee’s flag was raised to annul the goal for offside.

Three minutes later Bonello distinguishes himself when he denies Karrica who was through on goal.

Eight minutes from time, Tolaj tried his luck from the distance as his shot finished well wide.

The Spartans had one opportunity at the death from a corner but Marcelina’s header was cleared as the match ended goalless.