Balzan Youths grabbed an unexpected win from a game which seemed long lost, with two late goals very similar in their execution, to move three points above Hamrun Spartans in the standings. Hamrun were again found wanting in defending set pieces and left a previously superior side with nothing to show for their efforts.

In the process Balzan proved that they can beat the Spartans on the field of play, after the First Round Hamrun win was overturned in Balzan’s favour following a protest.

Hamrun looked heading to another win yesterday as they led through a Carlo Polli free kick short of the quarter hour. But when Kevin Sammut was sent off with 15 minutes remaining, the Spartans collapsed to concede two late goals, one an own goal and another in added time, both coming from Pedro Calcado’s free kicks.

Balzan were deprived of two defenders, Jonathan Francica and Clifton Ciantar, through suspension, with Roderick Farrugia starting in defence. Balzan also gave a start to Bernardes in attack, naming Bright among the substitutes.

Hamrun’s woes in defence were complicated further with the suspension of Gacekas.

David Camilleri played as centre back for Hamrun, alongside Grima.

Balzan started well and after three minutes they won a free kick on the left for Grima’s handling. Calcado kicked the ball dangerously across the face of goal but Gauci headed it out.

Hamrun took an early lead, also from a set piece. On 13 minutes, Carlo Polli beat keeper Camilleri with a direct free kick at the top right hand corner.

That put them in the driving seat. Shields was with Ribeiro in a pleasing partnership of strikers. That worked initially, although Hamrun failed to add to their lead despite going close on a couple of occasions before halftime.

On 27 minutes Ribeiro played a deft one-two with Shields, went inside the Balzan area but his low shot was held out by keeper Camilleri.

On 33 minutes the woodwork again denied the Spartans. Polli took a quick free kick from midfield for the advancing Shields, whose shot rebounded off the post.

On 38 minutes, Bernardes, who always sparked movement, went past two opponents but was felled on the edge of the area, only to be surprisingly booked by the referee for simulation.

Hamrun remained firmly in command after the interval, especially because Balzan rarely showed the co-ordination or penetration to disturb the Hamrun goal.

Sammut ran down the left and crossed back from the byeline for Spiteri to shoot but Tasic blocked into a corner. A minute later, Shields put his header just wide on another Sammut cross.

Balzan tried to rake high balls inside the Hamrun area, but keeper Cassar looked as safe as houses with his handling.

The match’s turning point was the sending off of Hamrun’s midfielder Kevin Sammut for two bookings within one minute, probably for diisent. The remaining playing minutes were full of incident.

Balzan tried to exploit their numerical superiority and immediately caused the Hamrun defence several uncomfortable moments. On a Bernardes cross, Bright, who had gone in for Guga, tested keeper Cassar with a scissors kick.

On the other end, keeper Camilleri distinguished himself as he held out two wicked Grima free kicks from a distance.

But Balzan, and especially Calcado, were back to haunt the Spartans’ defence. Three minutes from normal time, the Brazilian’s free kick was deflected by Hamrun’s David Camilleri into his own net as he tried to head out.

Deep into seven minutes of added time, Balzan won another free kick on the edge of the area. Calcado again hit inside the Hamrun area for defender Rene Forace to head past the helpless keeper Cassar and stun Hamrun.

Hamrun S A. Cassar, G. Calabretta, M. Grima, D. Camilleri, M. Gauci, R. Mangion (C. Porcari), C. Polli, K. Sammut, G. Spiteri (L. Agius), D. Shields, A. Ribeiro (L. Silva)

Coach J. Zammit

Balzan Y M. Camilleri, Y. Camilleri, R. Farrugia (S. Ciscaldi), B. Guga (K. Bright), R. Forace, D. Grima, N. Tasic, D. Fenech, P. Calcado, M. Ciantar (L. Micallef), F. Bernardes

Coach I. Zammit

Referee E. Azzopardi

Asst.refs I. Spiteri, J. Camilleri

4th official M. Borg

Scorers C. Polli 13, D. Camilleri og 87, R. Foarce 90+

Yellow cards M. Grima, G. Calabretta, F. Bernardes, R. Mangion, D. Fenech, K. Sammut, R. Farrugia

Red card K. Sammut

Player of the match Dean Shields (Hamrun S)

TMI top 3 1. C. Polli 2. D. Shields 3. P. Calcado

Attendance 758