Hamrun Spartans and Valletta had to settle for a point apiece at the end of a hard-fought contest, which produced little thrills and no goals.

The sporting rivalry between these two clubs had both sets of players taking the field revved up for the occasion.

Hamrun were bereft of the suspended Timotic in an otherwise unchanged line-up which included strikers Effiong, Sultana and Spiteri.

Valletta had Giglio and Mattocks returning in midfield but missed Camilleri, and of course the still injured Agius, as Zammit, Darmanin and Scicluna started on the bench. All the muscular endevour left little in terms of excitement as scoring opportunities were at a premium and the two sets of colourful supporters produced the better entertainment in a barren first half.

Although Valletta had more possession, Hamrun had the poise and never allowed Monesterolo and Temile any space.

The most noteworthy episode of the first 45 minutes was Hamrun’s legitimate claim for a penalty, turned down by the referee on 17 minutes, when Forace held back Effiong inside the area after the Hamrun striker had chested Sultana’s cross and was about to shoot at goal.

The Spartans’ best chance came about five minutes before the break when Effiong advanced on Mangion’s pass forward but keeper Hogg blocked his effort into a corner.

Valletta also threatened in flashes, although rather unconvincingly. Midway through the half, Temile, unattended in front of the Hamrun goal, failed to connect on Falzon’s cross.

When Backhaus laid the ball to Giglio, he shot over. On 36 minutes Monesterolo ran dangerously down the left flank but keeper Falzon did well to rush off his line and block.

Hamrun showed more attacking intent in the second half and Effiong worried the Valletta rearguard, and Forace in particular, with his forays down the flank and crosses inside the area.

On the hour, Valletta put in Ian Zammit for Giglio and Hamrun’s counter move was Meilak’s substitution with Borg.

On 67 minutes Effiong was put clear by Ryan Fenech but Hogg blocked his shot and shortly afterwards Sultana made way for Briffa, with Effiong taking a more central attacking role. Valletta were forced to substitute the injured Falzon with Bryan Agius.

Valletta remained too predictable, raking long balls forward with little purpose and as they faded out to almost total invisibility in the late stages, Hamrun could have won the match but Ryan Fenech and Effiong failed to convert half chances and the stalemate prevailed till the end.

* * *

Hamrun S: M. Falzon, P. Monye, A. Attard, Roderick Fenech, S. Meilak (K. Borg), Ryan Fenech, S. Sultana (E. Briffa), J. Debattista, R. Mangion, G. Spiteri, A. Effiong

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Bondin, J. Mifsud, S. Bezzina, R. Forace, C. Mattocks, H. Backhaus, D. Falzon (B. Agius), S. Giglio (I. Zammit), S. Monesterolo, F. Tamile

Referee: P. Caruana asst.refs: K. Borg, I. Spiteri 4th official: C. Pisani

Yellow cards: S. Meilak, Roderick Fenech, J. Mifsud, G. Spiteri, I. Zammit, A. Attard, S. Bezzina

Player of the match: Precious Monye (Hamrun S)

TMI top three: 1. P. Monye 2. Roderick Fenech 3. A. Hogg