Matchday 02: Valletta 1 Hamrun S. 1
31/08/2025
Ħamrun Spartans were forced to settle for a second successive 1-1 draw, this time against newly-promoted Valletta, in a match from the YoHealth Malta Premier Opening Round clash at the National Stadium on Sunday.
Fresh from their 2-2 midweek draw with RFS—a result that secured their place in the UEFA Conference League group stage—the Spartans once again found themselves conceding early, just as they had in their league opener against Tarxien Rainbows. Although they pulled level before the break, they were unable to push on for victory.
For Valletta, it was another encouraging display, with the Citizens fully meriting at least a share of the spoils.
The capital side took the lead after 12 minutes, when Brandon Paiber played a short free-kick to Yuri Messias, whose strike rattled the crossbar before bouncing into the net.
Ħamrun almost replied on the 25th minute mark when Ryan Camenzuli delivered a teasing cross from the left, only for Merlin Hadzi’s header to be cleared off the line by Steve Borg.
The Spartans did find their equaliser in the 34th minute: a misplaced pass by Borg was not controlled by Shaft Brewer Jr, allowing Hadzi to pounce and drill a low shot past goalkeeper Adilson Maringa.
After the break, chances were limited. Ante Ćorić went close on 62 minutes with a free-kick that skimmed just over the bar, while in stoppage time, Valletta nearly snatched all three points as Jefferson was denied from close range by a fine save from Henry Bonello.
VALLETTA: A. Dos Santos, S. Borg, B. Paiber (R. Muscat), Y. Yankam (J. Azzopardi), S. Brewer, N. Micallef, Y. Messias (A. Zammit), S. Radic, T. Aldama, J. De Assis, J. Mendoza.
HAMRUN S: H. Bonello, R. Compri, D. Letherby (D. Simkus), M. Garcia, J. Mbong (S. Thioune), V. Polito, A. Coric, M. Hadzi (N. Koffi), E. Marcelina (S. Xerri), R. Camenzuli, S. Meijer (S. Attard)
Scorers: 12′ Y. Messias (V), 34′ M. Hadzi (H).
Yellow Cards: S. Xerri, N. Koffi (H)
Man of the match: Thaylor Aldama (V)
Referee: M. Degabriele
Photo: Joseph Galea – Yo Health Malta Premier
