Ħamrun………….1
Balzan…………….1
Champions Hamrun Spartans relinquished two additional points as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Balzan in a match from the Opening Round of the 360Sports Malta Premier at the National Stadium on Saturday, despite finishing the game with ten players.
The Spartans now find themselves in fourth place, alongside Floriana, trailing leaders Sliema by three points, although Floriana has a game in hand. Balzan currently sits in seventh place with five points.
For Hamrun, who suffered a narrow defeat to Mosta in their previous match, Celio started as goalkeeper, with Matthias Ellul replacing the suspended Ryan Camenzuli. Balzan, on the other hand, made four changes, bringing in Gary Camilleri, Jan Busuttil (returning), Benjamin Hili, and Awosanya Dimeji to replace Marcus Grima, Isaac Westendorf, Mosawer Ahadi, and the suspended Nikola Zerjal.
Hamrun took the lead in the 34th minute when Raphael Lopes received an excellent through pass from Roko Prsa. Lopes rounded the goalkeeper, veering to the left and calmly placed the ball into the empty net.
Ten minutes into the second half, Balzan was awarded a penalty after Sven Xerri brought down Awosanya inside the penalty area. Udoyen Akpan stepped up to take the penalty and successfully converted it.
In the dying moments of the match, Balzan found themselves a man down when Henri Stanic was shown two quick yellow cards for sarcastically applauding the referee’s decision. This incident occurred with just sixteen minutes remaining on the clock.
