Hamrun S: I. Casha, A. Attard, D. Camilleri, Roderick Fenech, M. Hrubsa, M. Grima, R. Mangion, Ryan Fenech, G. Spiteri (J. Holland), M. Pereira (M. Mifsud), D. Shields (L. Agius)

Tarxien R: A. Curmi, M. Caruana, E. Pereira, R. Costa, C. Dos Santos Rodriguez, M. Tanti (G. Calabretta), J. Vella, O. Anonam, R. Mintoff, R. Grech (S. Hili), J. Grioli (L. Vella Critien)

Referee: P. Caruana Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, M. Mercieca 4th official: M. Apap

Scorers: M. Pereira, C. Dos Santos Rodriguez (pen), M. Grima, D. Shields

Yellow cards: R. Mintoff, Roderick Fenech, D. Shields, M. Mifsud, G. Calabretta

Player of the match: Ryan Fenech (Hamrun S)

TMI top three: 1. Ryan Fenech 2. M. Pereira 3. M. Caruana

Hamrun Spartans are the only team with maximum points after two matches and are sole leaders of the BOV Premier League, after the draw between Valletta and Hibernians and Birkirkara’s defeat at the weekend.

Yesterday the Spartans put Tarxien Rainbows to the sword in the same manner that they disposed of Qormi in the first match.

The industry and delivery of Rupert Mangion and Ryan Fenech in midfield, besides the destructive defensive work of Massimo Grima and the finishing of Pereira and Shields, are the main elements in Hamrun’s success so far.

Tarxien are still without a win, despite a promising start of the match yesterday.

The Rainbows were buoyed by the return of Mark Tanti in midfield. Ryan Mintoff was deployed as central defender with Anonam and Caruana paired as holding midfielders in front of the defence.

That set up seemed to work well in the opening stages, even because their two Brazilian forwards looked in a better vein of form. In fact Costa twisted and turned inside the Hamrun area but shot against the side netting after five minutes play.

Hamrun, who fielded the same starting eleven as in the previous win against Qormi, looked menacing with a Ryan Fenech cross, to which both Grima and Pereira failed to connect and a Camilleri powerful free kick just missing the target.

On the quarter hour they took the lead. Marcelo Pereira picked Shields’ cross and beat keeper Curmi from a tight angle from the byeline on the right.

Tarxien were allowed back into the game six minutes later when awarded a penalty after Roderick Fenech handled Grech’s shot inside the area. Cristiano Dos Santos Rodriguez levelled from the spot kick.

Hamrun remained sharper on the ball though, showing more fluidity in their play as the Rainbows kept raking long balls inside the Spartans’ area with little purpose.

Towards the half hour, Shields’glancing header on Ryan Fenech’s cross narrowly missed the target.

On 33 minutes, Massimo Grima headed Hamrun again in front from a Camilleri corner, which Tarxien conceded after keeper Curmi had fumbled a Ryan Fenech cross shot.

Before halftime, a Rodriguez header was saved by keeper Casha.

Tarxien effected a double substitution at the interval. Grech and Grioli made way for Sergio Hili and Luke Vella Critien.

Hamrun still created the better chances. Shields, put clear by Ryan Fenech, was blocked by the onrushing keeper Curmi. On 64 minutes, Mangion played a good pass to Pereira, who advanced down the left flank but his shot clipped the upright.

And after Costa had a shot blocked into a corner, Hamrun made virtually sure of the points with ten minutes remaining. Deane Shields capitalized on some hesitancy in the Tarxien defence and after rounding the keeper, deposited the ball into an empty net.

The match degenerated into some ugly scenes just before the final whistle when tempers flared following a crude tackle by Tarxien’s substitute Calabretta on Hamrun’s other substitute Agius. The former was booked as the latter had to be stretchered off.