The battle between the two newly promoted sides was settled with three first half goals, with the Spartans having the better with the odd goal in three.

This was the new season's opener, watched by few spectators who dared the blazing sun at the Millennium stand as the enclosure is still closed to public.

To be frank the match never reached high standards and both teams will have to produce better fare against more renowned opponents. Hamrun deserved their win as they were the better team.

Mqabba paraded the three Brazilians who however failed to impress, with defender Nogueira emerging as the best one of the three.

Mqabba lacked the necessary punch upfront where John Paul Muscat had an off day. Marlon Briffa produced a brilliant performance, with Dylan Zarb and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino giving a very good contribution.

The Spartans were practically in last season's formation apart from Alfred Effiong their signing from St George's. They had Gaetan Spiteri, Kevin Borg and new signing Precious Monye missing.

Mqabba made the first attempt with a dangerous cross shot by Silva sailing over the bar. Steve Meilak, last season's best First Division player, together with Ryan Fenech started to dominate in midfield, with the Mqabba rearguard rather uneasy under the Spartans' pressure.

Calleja had to charge out of position to block Effiong, but the Mqabba custodian was beaten on 20 minutes. Stefan Sultana managed to reach a lost from the goal line and crossed to the unmarked Evan Briffa in the heart of the Mqabba penalty area, and the Hamrun midfielder made no mistake to score the first goal of the new season.

Mqabba missed a sitter five minutes later when Marlon Briffa split apart the Hamrun defence and passed to John Paul Muscat who shot weakly with only Falzon to beat.

On 30 minutes Hamrun doubled the score when Effiong passed back to Stefan Sultana who lobbed beautifully at the back of the net with the Mqabba goalkeeper Calleja caught completely out of position. Mqabba tried to get back in the match but had gaping holes at the back and the Spartans could have easily added a third before the break with Sultana hitting the upright and Effiong's shot blocked on the goal line by defender Nogueira.

However in stoppage time Clifford Gatt Baldacchino scored a gem of a goal when he beat Falzon with a perfect lob from 25 meters to put Mqabba back in the running.

In the second half Mqabba introduced Mark Anthony Psaila for Bonnici. They looked better in the second half as they rushed forward for the equaliser. However Hamrun had in Effiong a real menace.

On the hour Muscat's shot beat Falzon but the ball finished against the upright. On the other end Effiong anticipated goalkeeper Calleja, but his shot was blocked by Gatt Baldacchino.

On 70 minutes Meilak's dangerous shot was tipped to a corner by Calleja. Three minutes from time Mqabba keeper Callaeja had to be medicated after hi hit his head against the upright when blocking and Effiong.