FC Ballkani defeated Hamrun Spartans 2-0 in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round at the Tony Bezzina Stadium to set up a clash with Larne FC of Northern Ireland in the third qualifying round.
Hamrun Spartans disappointed once again as they were practically on the receiving end for the whole ninety minutes.
Coach Alessandro Zinnari could not count on the suspended Steve Borg apart from Ryan Camenzuli and Eder who are recovering from injuries. To make matters worse, they also lost Emerson Marcelina injured after half an hour.
The visitors tested Bonello with a shot from outside the area by Kryeziu on 16 minutes following an assist by Ismajlgeci from the right. Hamrun replied with a cross by Luke Montebello from the left from which Juan Corbalan hit just wide from the edge of the area.
On 22 minutes, following a good run on the left flank by Hamidi, the latter’s cross reached Kryeziu whose goal-bound effort was blocked by Matthias Ellul.
Thirteen minutes in the second half, Kryeziu tested Bonello once again with a shot from inside the area and seconds later, Quevan had a shot from outside the area neutralised by the Hamrun custodian.
Ballkani finally managed to break the deadlock on 64 minutes when following a back pass by Mayron, Walid Hamidi controlled the ball off Henry Bonello’s erratic clearance and scored with a fine long-distance shot which caught the Hamrun custodian off guard.
The Kosovar champions almost made it 2-0 two minutes later with Karrica beating Mayron’s challenge on the right but his diagonal shot was deflected by Bonello.
Ballkani sealed the issue with a second goal on 76 minutes. A shot by Jashanica from outside the area was blocked by Bonello but Mayron floored Ismajlgeci inside the area; referee Michele Beltrano ordered a penalty and Bernard Karrica converted from the penalty spot.
HAMRUN Henry Bonello, Matthias Ellul, Daniel Letherby (63’ Shaisen Attard), Luke Montebello, Joseph Mbong, Roko Prsa, Elionay (63’ Vitao), Juan Corbalan, Mayron (83’ Talison), Emerson Marcelina (31’ Sven Xerri), Raphael Lopes.
BALLKANI Enea Kolici, Arber Potoku, Gentrit Halili, Lindon Emerlahu, Almir Kryeziu (88’ Geralb Smajli), Walid Hamidi (88’ Krenar Dulaj), Marsel Ismajlgeci (79’ Bleart Tolaj), Astrit Thaqi, Bernard Karrica (82’ Giovanni), Bajram Jashanica, Quevan.
Referee: Michele Beltrano SMR
Assistant Referees: Gian Marco Ercolani, Ernesto Cristiano SMR
Fourth Official: Raffaele Delvecchio ITA
Source: Malta Football
