Watch: Montebello on the mark as Ħamrun Spartans wear down stubborn Balzan

BALZAN 0

HAMRUN SPARTANS 1

Montebello 61

H. Bonello, S. Xerri, L. Montebello, L. Talison (38 R. Mihana), J. Mbong, E. Freitas, J. Cadenovic (84 Ederson), Mayron (84 S. Borg), E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli, R, Lopes (70 C. Menacho).

BALZAN

D. Golovic, S. Arab, N. Pulis, J. Busuttil (85 J. Grech), D. Oluwatobiloba (81 L. Jankovic), H. Stanic, L. Lukovic, V. Blasco, R. Floro, M. Bacanin,  E. Kamsoba (72 B. Hili).

Referee Alex Johnson.

Yellow cards: Marcelina, Lukovic, Montebello, Mbong, Pulis, Lopes Silva, Menacho,

A solitary goal from Luke Montebello was enough for Ħamrun Spartans to break Balzan’s stubborn resistance and snatch a vital win to go at the top of the Closing Round alongside Floriana.

 Luke Montebello made the breakthrough just past the hour mark when the striker cashed in on Luka Lukovic’s slip to thunder home the winner.

Until that time, it looked as though Ħamrun were going to be frustrated, largely by Andrew Cohen’s defensive game plan.

A Ħamrun Spartans side that showed three changes rarely clicked in the first half against a hard-working Balzan who never allowed the Spartans to settle into any rhythm.

On 17 minutes, Talison, crossed from the left before the ball took a deflection that crashed against the post, the ball fell into the path of Montebello and the latter escaped his marker to hit the ball over.

Another set piece saw Talison hit a fierce shot which was hooked off the line by Nicholas Pulis. The Brazilian was the shining exception in a lacklustre and disjointed performance by Ħamrun.

Henry Bonello was found wanting in his first test just before half-time as he flapped at Victor Blasco’s corner and the Malta goalkeeper was relieved to see Elionay Freitas clear the ball to safety.

Shy the hour mark, the Spartans had the ball into the Balzan net when Raphael Lopes slid the ball home from Marcelina’s cross, but the ‘goal’ was annulled as the Brazilian forward was adjudged to have used his hand to push the ball home.

TV replays could not rule out that Lopes effectively hit the ball with his shoulders.

It seemed as if it might not be Ħamrun’s day but Montebello opened the scoring soon after.

It was Lukovic was at fault when the Spartans scored, letting the Malta striker drift into space in the area to hit a neat shot behind Danilo Golovic.

At death, Balzan then threatened to punish the Spartans but Blasco ‘s long-range ball was collected by Bonello.

But that was a rare threat and Ħamrun ultimately deserved their victory.