Hamrun Spartans registered their ninth win of the campaign when they beat Balzan by a solitary goal scored ten minutes from the end of the match. It was no easy match for the runaway leaders who found the going tough against a stubborn Balzan rearguard.

Hamrun Spartans wanted to keep their unbeaten record and restore their lead to seven points after Gzira had reduced this gap to four following their win on Friday against Mosta. In their last outing they defeated the Maroons by two goals to one.

Balzan lost their last match against Valletta by three goals to one and wanted to return to winning ways with their last win being against Pieta Hotspurs in the first week of October.

Balzan have a good record against Hamrun with the latters last win dating back to season 2020/21 when they emerged 3-2 winners.

The first chance of the match came from Balzan when in the 12th minute a Jalu shot from the edge of the area was turned onto a corner by goalkeeper Bonello. This was the only action on either side with both teams lacking creativity.

On the restart Hamrun made one change with Jonny Torres being drafted instead of Corbalan. In the 50th minute a Guillaumier free kick ended on the side netting.

Two minutes later the Spartans found the net through Prsa but the goal was annulled for an infringement leading up to the goal. Hamrun were now increasing the pressure and just off the hour mark Ederson made his way into the opposing area and after going round Arab fired a diagonal shot was just missed the target.

A few minutes later Hamrun went near through Luke Montebello whose headed effort went inches wide.

Ten minutes from the end Hamrun scored what proved to be the winning goal when a Domingos cross from the right flank the Balzan defence failed to clear and in came Jonny Torres who rifled the ball into the net.

In stoppage time Balzan were reduced to ten man after Benjamin Hili was given the marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina