Hamrun S 0

FC Ballkani 2

Hamrun Spartans bowed out of European football after suffereing two second half goals against Kosovo’s FC Ballkani.

Hamrun’s dream of making it to the group stages of a european competition will have to wait, and the Spartans will have to invest more and work harder if they wish to reach their goal.

Ballkani were the better team in the 180 minutes and deserved their qualification as they keep hoping to reach the group stages for the third successive season.

But the Spartans gave a very good account of themselves until conceding a soft first goal a couple of minutes past the hour.

After suffering this goal Ballkani took full command with Bonello making some very good saves to keep the Spartans in the game until the penalty fifteen minutes from time, a penalty which sealed it for Ballkani.

As was the case against Lincoln in the first round, Hamrun were found lacking up front, and they need to do something fast becaue they are going to find the going hard even in the domestic scene.

Hamrun clearly lack a prolific striker that can turn the tide in their favour in crucial moments of the game.

Hamrun had the better chances in the first half, in which they were also unlucky to lose Emerson Marcelina, even though Sven Xerri and especially Mathias Ellul gave a very good account of themselves.

On 64 minutes Mayron’s back pass created some difficulty to goalkeeper Bonello whose clearance fell to Hamidi who from over 40 meters surprised Bonello who lost balance in an attempt to recover his position with the ball finishing at the back of the net.

Minutes later with the Spartans still in shock, Bonello made amends with a great save off Karrica.

Bonello was frequently called in action in the final 20 minutes as the Spartans threw in the towel.

Fifteen minutes from time from another  Bonello save, Mayron floored Ismajlgeci and from the resultant penalty Karrica made no mistake to put Ballkani through.

Ħamrun S: H. Bonello, J. Corbalan, J. Mbong, L. Montebello, R. Prsa, E. Freitas (Vitao 62’), D. Letherby (S. Attard 62’), J. Corbalan, Mayron (Talison 82’), E. Marcelina (S. Xerri 30’), R. Lopes

FC Ballkani: E. Kolici, A.Potoku, G. Halili, L. Emerllahu, A. Kryeziu, W. Hamidi, M. Ismajlgeci (B. Tolaj 79’), A. Thaqi, B. Karrica (Giovanni 82’), B. Jashanica

Referee: Michele Beltrano (San Marino)

Photo: Domenic Aquilina