Qormi-Balzan 1-2
Qormi: M. Farrugia (J. Cilia), J. Bondin, M. Mazzetti, A. Quatrochi (A. Bruce), D. Pisani, R. Sammut, J. Chetcuti, Z. Levnaic, S. Agius (E. Vella), A. Effiong, F. Temile
Balzan FC: S. Sultana, J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, E. Serrano Valero, E. Zarate, I. Guobadia (F. Odebe), L. Sciberras, L. Micallef, O. Guerrero, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (R. Darmanin), G. Piccioni
Referee: A. Azzopardi
4th official: P. Farrugia
Scorers: O. Guerrero 65, E. Serrano Valero og 69, R. Darmanin 90
Yellow cards: L. Sciberras, F. Temile, J. Grioli, R. Sammut, J.P. Mifsud Triganza
Player of the match: O. Guerrero (Balzan FC)
TMI top 3: 1. F. Temile 2. O. Guerrero 3. L. Micallef
Balzan keep going places after this win over Qormi, thanks to a last minute goal by substitute Ryan Darmanin as the macth looked heading towards a draw.
Balzan are still unbeaten after three matches, as they chase the leading pack, and yesterday’s win was mainly a result of their perseverance and their ability to take the match from their opponents.
Qormi started well but struggled to see off energetic Balzan, who grew in stature as the match progressed.
A tepid first half, provided very few noteworthy episodes.
Qormi, who dropped Emerson Vella and Albert Bruce, enjoyed more of the possession. They started on the front foot but could not muster a clear-cut chance for almost a whole half hour.
Balzan were first to go close after 18 minutes. Guerrero’s indirect free kick from inside the Qormi area, rebounded off the bar.
Balzan carved their best move midway through the half when Guerrero played the ball wide to Mifsud Triganza who put Piccioni clear but the Balzan striker hit poorly straight on the onrushing keeper Jurgen Cilia, who had just replaced number one Matthew Farrugia, apparantly not fully fit.
Balzan had Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Gianmarco Piccioni loitering with intent around the Qormi area but Guerrero was mostly involved in his side’s build-ups.
Qormi’s threats in the latter part of the half came mostly from Frank Temile who caused embarassment to the Balzan rearguard with his dribbles and runs.
Shortly before the break, Qormi went close to take the lead. Temile chased a good Pisani pass but keeper Sultana, deputising in goal for the suspended Christian Cassar, saved into a corner.
In the same action, Balzan’s central defender Guobadia was injured and had to be susbtituted, before, from an Agius corner, Temile had another effort blocked into a corner.
The second half promised to be more enterprising. After the ball landed on the roof of the Balzan net from a Quatrochi free kick, Balzan wasted two good opportunities. Micallef spurned the best opening of the second half as he was well blocked by keeper Cilia, having been played through by Piccioni.
Then Qormi’s defence failed to clear a Zarate cross, the ball fell to the unmolested Mifsud Triganza who shot straight at the keeper. The newly signed striker has still to make his mark for Balzan.
On the hour, Micallef’s effort went narrowly wide and five minutes later they made the breakthrough. Oscar Guerrero won a challenge with Agius inside the area on the right and anticipated the sortie of keeper Cilia, just flicking the ball beyond his reach.
But Qormi restored equilibrium in fortuitous circumstances only four minutes later. Temile’s low cross from the byeline on the left was turned in by Serrano Valero into his own net.
Both teams looked happy with a point after that, although the match still had a late twist in Balzan’s favour. After surviving a scare, as Effiong ran through on Bruce’s pass, only to be stopped by Serrano Valero’s timely tackle, Balzan hit their winner on the stroke of full time. Ryan Darmanin, who had just gone in as a substitute for Mifsud Triganza, beat keeper Cilia with a low strike from the right to give his side the points and send Qormi reeling.