Balzan Youths were the third newly promoted side to make their start in the new Premier League season, and although they traded equal punches with Hamrun Spartans for more than half an hour, they were dismantled by more experienced opponents after conceding two goals within three minutes in the first half.
The Spartans gradually improved after a quiet and cagey start and once they settled into the match, thanks to their best creative force, Massimo Grima, they never looked in danger.
Balzan Youths fielded a cohesive side. The First Division champions have some experienced players like keeper Matthew Camilleri as well as defenders Rene Forace and Clifton Ciantar at the back, with new Albanian central defender Bledjon Guga. Serb Nikola Tasic and Hungarian Daniel Sibalin conducted the procedures in midfield but of all the foreigners on duty, Brazilian Pedro Calcado was the best. Already an important player in Balzan’s promotion last season, Calcado, formerly playing for Msida in the Premier League, again showed good skills with neat footwork and intelligent passing.
In fact Hamrun, themselves making several changes to their squad this season, were second best for most of the first half.
Their defence, including the new additions of Croat central defender Nikica Gacesa and left back Matthew Gauci from Hibernians, was often caught out of position against Balzan’s running.
Already after seven minutes, Forace went dangerously inside the Hamrun area but was blocked into a corner.
The Spartans, with Grima in front of the defence and Mangion, Agius and Sammut in the middle, struggled to up the pace. Ribeiro and Calabretta, their other two new signings this season, were starved of service.
It was only on the quarter hour that Hamrun threatened with a Ribeiro header, narrowly missing the target, on Sammut’s cross.
With Balzan making more of the running, suddenly Hamrun struck with two goals in quick succession within three minutes, both from dead ball situations. The first, on 38 minutes, had the Balzan rearguard too static on Sammut’s corner from the right, and Massimo Grima was allowed to beat keeper Camilleri with a low firm header.
On 41 minutes, Forace conceded a penalty with a late tackle on Calabretta and Anderson Ribeiro opened the account for his new club from the spot.
Hamrun even increased their advantage two minutes into the second half. Grima whipped a long cross inside the Balzan area and Ribeiro connected well with a clinical finish.
Balzan looked likely to fall like crumbling biscuits. Calabretta played the ball to Sammut who advanced from the right, shooting narrowly wide. And on 52 minutes Calabretta’s effort was blocked by Forace on the line, with keeper Camilleri grounded.
But on 54 minutes, the Youths were handed a lifeline. Defender Yessous Camilleri sent a low cross from the right. Lydon Micallef anticipated Fenech and shot in low past the helpless keeper Borg.
But Hamrun were not to be denied as Balzan had lost much of their grip in midfield by then, and Tasic was also eventually substituted, although on 67 minutes, keeper Borg had to stretch himself to hold out Calcado’s meaty free kick.
Balzan still ended on the offensive and had another close effort by Forace, hitting the side netting.
But Hamrun remained composed, even though they had Lee Agius sent off six minutes from time for a second caution.
Balzan Y: M. Camilleri, C. Ciantar (R. Farrugia), R. Forace, Y. Camilleri, B. Guga, N. Tasic (D. Fenech), L. Micallef, S. Ciscaldi (B. Bondin), P. Calcado, D. Grima, D. Sibalin
Coach: I. Zammit
Hamrun S: O. Borg, S. Bonnici, M. Gauci, R. Fenech (R. Spiteri), N.Gacesa, M. Grima, R. Mangion, G. Calabretta (D. Camilleri), L. Agius, K. Sammut, A. Ribeiro (D. Zerafa)
Coach: J. Zammit
Referee: F. Zammit
Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, R. Vella
4th official: M. Borg
Scorers: M. Grima 38, A. Ribeiro 41 pen, 47, L. Micallef 54
Yellow cards: N. Tasic, L. Agius, M. Grima, R. Mangion, P. Calcado
Red card: L. Agius
Player of the match: Massimo Grima (Valletta)
TMI top 3: 1. M. Grima 2. A. Ribeiro 3. P. Calcado