Champions Hamrun Spartans easily disposed of Balzan beating them to the tune of four goals to nil. It was a dominant display by the Spartans whereas for Balzan this was a setback in their quest for European qualification
For Hamrun the season has already come to an end since they have achieved the ultimate honour and are only waiting for the last match in order to be presented with the coveted BOV Premier League trophy. The Spartans are no longer in the Trophy competition since they were eliminated by Birkirkara and therefore are already looking beyond this season.
Not the same can be said of Balzan who are surely the team of 2023, having been consistent all throughout and prior to this match were still unbeaten in this calendar year. They now have direct encounters against Mosta, Gzira and Birkirkara with the going looking tough.
In the first round match Hamrun emerged winners against Balzan by a solitary goal.
Hamrun started the match on the offensive and after just four minutes Montebello blasted over the bar though well placed.
The Champions kept piling on the pressure and in the 21st minute they forged ahead. It was Luke Montebello whose diagonal shot found the corner of the net after hitting the upright.
Six minutes later Holmberg found Montebello but the latter shot well over. And on the half hour the Spartans doubled their lead. It was Montebello once again who found the net who with only Debono to beat made no mistake.
And five minutes from the break it was game over as Hamrun scored their third goal when a Montebello cross found Elvis Mashike and the Spartans top scorer fired home.
On 42 minutes came Balzan’s first chance when Torres was unlucky in seeing his shot hitting the woodwork.
Six minutes into the second half Bonello was on the alert to save a Torres shot. But on the other end Hamrun scored their fourth goal in the 70th minute with Bruno Domingos finding the end after a mistake in the Balzan rearguard.
With the last action of the match coming from Balzan when a headed effort by Farrugia was saved by Hamrun’s substitute goalkeeper Curmi.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina
