Maccabi “Shahar” Tel Aviv returned from a three-week break on Saturday to register an important victory over Beitar Jerusalem with central defender Itay Ben Hamo scoring the only goal of the contest in the 81st minute.
Constant pressure by the Maccabi players almost brought an early breakthrough in the first half and Beitar got their chance on a counter attack in the 23rd minute, although they were denied by the crossbar. 
Maccabi hosted the game in Ness Ziona and had several more chances in the second half before the breakthrough finally came in the 81st minute when Shai Balahssen crossed the ball in from the right and Ben Hamo found his way through to head in from close range.
Maccabi almost added a second, although they were also denied by the crossbar from a shot by defender Guy Mizrahi. 
Lineups – Maccabi: Ben Musayof, Guy Mizrahi, Omer Itzhaki, Itay Ben Hamo, Shachar Rosen, Niv Berkovitz, (Shaked Navon, 68), Shai Balahssen, Nadav Nidam (Asaf Hershko, 54), Rave Asayag (Omri Ram, 63), Parfait Guiagon, Ronen Hanchis (Afek Sapir Navot, 68)
Beitar: Nissim Hayek, Raz Bruchian, Adir Deri, David Huga, Aviel Zargari, Li-On Mizrahi, Gil Ben Chelouche, Eran Azoulai, Orel Cohen, Zid Konber, Tadagar Dego.
