Balzan were off to a winning start in this season’s Championship Pool when they eased past Hamrun Spartans 3-1 at the Hibs Stadium.Balzan took just ten seconds to forge ahead when straight from kick off, Firas Aboulez’s throughball caught the Spartans defence napping and in came Elie N’Dekre to head the ball past the onrushing Hamrun goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.

The Spartans hit back strongly and they drew level on seven minutes. The goal again came from some poor defending, this time from Balzan. Goalkeeper Daniel Martinez charged out of his goal to meet a backpass but he fumbled his attempt to clear the ball and in came Loic Lumbilla who quickly served Emiliano Lattes who fired the ball into an empty net.

Balzan restored their lead on the stroke of half-time when from an Aboulezz corner-kick, Mendy squared the ball towards Christian Caruana who deviated the ball past Cassar.Hamrun threw more men forward after the interval in search of an equaliser but their hopes were ended on 72 minutes when defender Roderick Fenech was dismissed for foul language.

Balzan soon profited from their numerical advantage when in a quick raid Cassar served N’Dekre who had little difficulty to slot the ball past Cassar.

Balzan’s Christian Caruana was voted as the BOV Player of the match.

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