Valletta won their game in hand against Hamrun Spartans yesterday to go seven points clear at the top of the standings. They remain the only unbeaten side after the first round.

Without some regulars, they were superior to a Hamrun side who sought defensive security. The Spartans’ disciplined defence held out for almost an hour but when Valletta broke the deadlock there was only one outcome.

The goals put some gloss on an otherwise boring match played at a very slow pace especially in the first half.

Without a chance in the first 20 minutes, the match was always likely to provide few openings.

Luckily things slightly improved in a more eventful second half. Both sides ended up in ten men, each having a player sent off for two bookings in the late stages.

While Hamrun kept the same starting eleven and tactical set up as the previous match against Vittoriosa, Valletta were bereft of notable absentees Jamie Pace and Ramos Dos Santos, both suspended, and the unfit Jonathan Caruana.

Their backline was the same that ended the match against Floriana, with Roderick Briffa and Dyson Falzon the wide backs and Ian Azzopardi partnering Steve Borg in the centre. Edmond and Gilbert Agius were the holding midfielders, behind Denni Dos Santos, Sammut and Ian Zammit, in support of Terence Scerri.

Hamrun opened cautiously and stayed composed with five men crowding the midfield. They handed Valletta the initiative and relied on their organisation and defensive capabilities.

Not surprisingly the match was a one-way affair in the first half although Valletta, for all their territorial superiority, lacked the slightest hint of penetration. Their first effort on target was only after 19 minutes from Sammut. Keeper Omar Borg blocked well.

When Scerri scored on Dos Santos cross just short of the half hour, the goal was disallowed for an offside position. Soon Scerri went close with his header.

On 35 minutes, Edmond Agius missed the ball completely on a Denni cross and then Briffa’s shot went narrowly wide.

Hamrun showed little urgency as they closed the gaps and tried to threaten on the break.

It nearly paid dividends five minutes before halftime. Grima clipped the bar as keeper Hogg put a hand to the ball, turning it into a corner.

The Spartans’ defence was undone 12 minutes into the second half. From a short corner from the right, keeper Borg failed to cut Denni’s cross and Steve Borg headed in from close range.

The goal injected some needed verve into the game, which until then had been lifeless.

Valletta pulled out Gilbert Agius, who made way for Temile. Hamrun could not stare defeat in the face and had to change plans. They put in Anizoba for Steve Bonnici, thus moving further upfield.

Keeper Hogg tipped Ryan Fenech’s free kick over the bar. On 80 minutes there was the illusion of a Hamrun goal. On a long Vukanic cross, Anizoba headed against the side netting.

That heralded Hamrun’s best spell though. Valletta could exploit more space and keeper Borg held out Denni Dos Santos’ shot.

Eight minutes from time, Hamrun were down to ten men when defender Hrubsa received his marching orders for a second caution. But two minutes later numerical equilibrium was restored because even Dyson Falzon was booked a second time and eventually dismissed.

There was still time however for Valletta to score their second goal and make sure of the points. One minute from time, substitute Temile won a challenge with Vukanic inside the area, went past Camilleri and beat keeper Borg at the near post.

Hamrun S: O. Borg, M.A. Bonnici (M. Mifsud), M. Hrubsa, Roderick Fenech, J. Vukanic, M. Grima, S. Bonnici (P. Anizoba), D. Camilleri, Ryan Fenech, M. Pereira, G. Spiteri

Coach: S. D’Amato

Valletta: A. Hogg, R. Briffa, S. Borg, G. Agius (O. Temile), E. Agius, I. Azzopardi, I. Zammit (K. Magro), D. Dos Santos K. Sammut, D. Falzon, T. Scerri (S. Arab)

Coach: J. Zerafa

Referee: C. Lautier

Asst.refs: P. Agius, J. Camilleri

4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: S. Borg 56, O. Temile 89

Yellow cards: M.A. Bonnici, D. Falzon, M. Hrubsa, E. Agius

Red cards: M. Hrubsa, D. Falzon

Player of the match: S. Borg (Valletta)

TMI top 3: 1. S. Borg 2. D. Dos Santos 3. M. Grima