FLORIANA 1                  
VALLETTA 1

Floriana: I. Akpan, S. Nayar, E. Pepe, E. Ruiz, S. Pisani, M. Vella (D. Grima), J. Cabral, J. Pisani, A. Cini, M. Fontanella, E. Marcelina

Valletta: H. Bonello, S. Borg, R. Camilleri, S. Malano, J. Borg, M. Piciollo (J. Zerafa),  E. Beltre', R. Saleh (M. Mifsud), R. Muscat, K. Nwoko, M. Alba (J. Borg)

Referee: A.M. Sant

Asst.refs: M. Scerri, P. Apap

Additional asst.refs: M. Apap, M. Degabriele

4th official: J. Spiteri

Scorers: M. Piciollo 9, E. Ruiz 74

Yellow cards: M. Vella, S. Pisani, M. Alba, J. Cabral

Red cards: J. Pisani

Player of the match: S. Nayar (Floriana)

TMI top 3: 1. M. Alba  2. E. Marcelina  3. M. Vella

Matteo Piciollo's first-half strike was not enough to give Valletta victory against neighbours Floriana in yesterday's highly-charged noisy derby at the National Stadium.

Floriana, down to ten men for the entire first half, managed to level matters through Enzo Ruiz late in the game to delay the leaders' celebrations.

This draw might prove a blow for Valletta in their pursuit for the title but their destiny is still in their own hands as they go into the final day, against Gzira United, on equal points with Balzan.

Goals apart, the match offered some debateable incidents in defining moments

Both coaches retained the same starting eleven as the previous week, with a similar 4-1-3-2 formation.

Valletta made the brighter start as their midfield trio of Miguel Alba, Santiago Malano and Reid Saleh soon got on top through sheer work-rate and desire.

Within the second minute, they had what looked like a legitimate claim for a penalty turned down, after Ruiz challenged Beltre' with a push by the arm and the Valletta defender fell near the byeline.

But an early lead soon followed. With nine minutes on the clock. Nwoko delivered a low cross from the right, Alba intelligently played the dummy, letting the ball roll invitingly towards the unmolested Matteo Piciollo to hit in low from close range.

That sent the Valletta fans in raptures and put their team in the driving seat.

Floriana tried to snuff out the Citizens' physical threat by being more direct, hooving balls upfield from inside their own half. But they made little impact going forward in the early stages.

Only on 21 minutes Fontanella headed a long Vella cross towards the middle of the Valletta area but Nayar had his close-range effort blocked by keeper Bonello.

Suddenly Valletta set about protecting their lead. Their only other menace came from an Alba shot from a distance that went wide.

That allowed Floriana to settle more into the game.

And there followed more drama before halftime.

On 38 minutes Vella fell inside the Valletta area when Saleh might have caught his heel from behind. The referee was unimpressed though and booked the Floriana midfielder for simulation.

Then, two minutes before the break, Floriana's defender Jurgen Pisani was rightly sent off for spitting at Alba after the Valletta player just missed him with a lunging tackle.

Steve Pisani retreated as left back for Floriana in the second half, but that left the Greens exposed in midfield. They appeared content to operate defensively and relied heavily on Marcelina and Vella for inventive.

With an extra man, Valletta were the more dominnat in possession. On 56 minutes Piciollo played a short pass inside the Floriana area for Malano to hit wide.

Valletta thought they had doubled their lead on 69 minutes after Piciollo hit in the rebound, following an Alba grounder that thumped against the post. But the goal was disallowed because Nwoko was standing in a passive offside position in front of the Floriana keeper.

Valletta had decided to withdraw Piciollo and introduced Joseph Zerafa.

But Floriana were still a threat. On 74 minutes, Valletta's keeper Bonello misjudged the flight of the ball as he tried to intercept Vella's free kick from the left and Enzo Ruiz headed in to level matters.That sucker punch knocked the wind out of Valletta's sails. They needed to push for the win and coach Doncic put in Denni Dos Santos and even Michael Mifsud.

But with Valletta's confidence severely dented, they only went close on 78 minutes when Malano's header, on an Alba's deep cross, was turned into a corner by keeper Akpan.

A solid ten-man Floriana held on for a point.

 

 

Balzan regain some momentum in race for title

BALZAN FC 2
SENGLEA ATHLETIC 1

Balzan: I. Janjesivic, U. Ljubomirac, I. Bozovic (J. Grioli), A. Alves, E. Serrano, P. Fenech (R. Fenech), S. Arab (B. Kaljevic), S. Bezzina, A. Effiong, M. Johnson, C. Mendes

Senglea A: J. Borg (R. Debattista), J. Bondin, S. Bonnici, J. Leyton, R. Vella, H. Vella, G. Virano, I. Paz, A. Caseres (T. Vella), G. Braga, P. Sammut

Referee: C. Pisani

Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, T. Debono

Additional asst.refs: S. Pace, I. Barbara

4th official: E. Spiteri

Scorers: S. Arab 45+, G. Virano 62, B. Kaljevic 75

Yellow cards: R. Vella, C. Mendes, G. Braga, I. Paz, I. Bozovic,

Player of the match: C. Mendes (Balzan)

TMI top 3: 1. C. Mendes  2. J. Borg  3. S. Bezzina

Attendance: 4,269

Although far from convincing, this was an important win for Balzan that takes them back on top, on equal points with Valletta and keeps them primed for a late tilt towards their first Premier League title. They play outgoing champions Hibernians on the final day.

Balzan needed to quickly swallow the previous week's defeat against Tarxien Rainbows that have seen them surrender first place to Valletta in the process.

But, with Valletta held to a 1-1 draw against Floriana in the afternoon's previous match, Balzan knew they could not afford any more slips.

This was always going to be a test of character for Micovic's men, yesterday without the suspended Milos Lepovic and Bojan Kaljevic only involved in the last half hour.

Although dominating possession, they failed to create clear-cut chances. It was a disjointed game for long stretches, frustration growing at some points in the stands after some missed chances and good saves by the Senglea keeper Jurgen Borg.

They lacked both the aggression and imagination to assert themselves against opponents already safe in practical terms.

Their opening goal typified their first half performance - simple enough but made effective through determination.

Their second, 15 minutes from time, after Senglea had briefly levelled matters through Gonzalo Virano, came through substitute Bojan Kaljevic who plundered his reward and gives renewed life to his side's title charge.

Balzan's first real threat, after some initial huffing and puffing, came towards the quarter hour when Bezzina's looping header from a corner, hit the Senglea post.

On 20 minutes, Effiong failed to connect to Bezzina's inviting cross when standing clear in front of the Senglea goal.

Balzan then threatened with a couple of Mendes' free kicks. The first was deflected into a corner off the Senglea wall. The second was ably held out by keeper Borg, making his debut in the Senglea goal.

Senglea looked like they had the spirit and confidence to resist the Balzan onslaught and had managed to test Balzan keeper Janjusevic with a Sammut effort shortly before the break.

But they were undone in the half's added time, when failing to deal with a set-piece. Bozovic played a deep free kick from the right and Siraj Arab headed Balzan in front.

Such a level of performance was unlikely to be met with satisfaction by Micovic and Balzan needed to up their efforts in the second half. They came out with some more urgency.

An Arab shot was turned into a corner by Senglea keeper Borg. On 55 minutes Alves' drive ended fractionally wide.

But as Balzan were looking for a second reassuring goal, Senglea curbed their enthusiasm with an equaliser past the hour. Gonzalo Virano caught keeper Janjusevic by surprise, with a dipping shot from the edge of the area.

The immediate introduction of Bojan Kaljevic from the bench, re-energised Balzan and paid dividends.

Balzan quickly gained the upperhand and on 75 minutes they were back in front and Kaljevic was the scorer, knocking in the ball past keeper Borg, after Johnson had headed a long Ryan Fenech cross in his direction.

Balzan were applying pressure. And they kept doing so with keeper Borg holding out another effort by Kaljevic.

But Senglea wer unable to cause any more problems as Balzan remained the better team.

 

 

St Andrews miss two penalties but still get precious win against 9-man Stripes

St Andrews       1
Birkirkara                     0

St Andrews: M. Calleja Cremona, A. Borg, M. Miranda Gomez, M. Davis, J. Van de Lannoite, R. Martin, M. Gauci, K. Atkinson, M. Grima, K. Reid, T. Blagrove

Birkirkara: K. Naumovski, L. V. Maia, N. Vukanac, M. Guillaumier (J. Grech), R. Scicluna, O. Rolovic (C. Attard), W. Acosta Ferreira, T. Agius, F. Barbosa, C. Gonzalves, E. Herrera.

Referee: P. Canepa (Gibraltar)

Asst refs: J. Ward, K. Azopardi

4th official: H. Warwick

Scorer: Misael Miranda Gomez

Yellow cards: L. Maia, T. Blagrove, N. Vukanac, J. Grech, R. Martin

Red cards: C. Gonzalves, J. Grech

Player of the match: K. Atkinson

TMI Top 3: 1. M. Miranda Gomez, 2. R. Scicluna, 3. K. Atkinson

St Andrews contrived to miss two penalties yesterday against a 9-man Birkirkara side but were still good enough to win three very precious points thanks to a Misael Miranda Gomez goal in the second half.

Thanks to this win, the Saints have made a bold step towards salvation as they have now overtaken Tarxien Rainbows by two points - 23 to 21.

This result meant that Gzira United were almost ascertained of the third place before their match against Sliema.

Birkirkara have gone from bad to worse in the last stages of the competition. Not only did they lose their composure and all the three points yesterday, but they finished the match in nine men after having two players dismissed - Goncalvez in the first half and Jake Grech in the second.

In the first half, play was more or less balanced but the Saints showed more flair and determination from the start.

In fact, they created the best chances throughout the opening 45 minutes but failed to find the net.

When Birkirkara were reduced to 10 men on 30 minutes, it seemed as if this was a big advantage for the Saints, but in actual fact, it was the Stripes who started playing better.

Birkirkara rarely seemed to be a team fighting for a berth in the Europa League next season.

The defence was at sixes and sevens and on such form, they have few chances of reaching Europe, even via an FA Trophy win.

In the second half, they improved considerably at the back, but it was St Andrews who continued to dictate play.

And it was no surprise that they eventually won the match with a Miranda Gomez goal, despite missing two penalties - one on either side of the goal.

Needing the points badly, St Andrews started on attack and on the second minute, Davis set Atkinson in the Stripes area, but the latter's effort went wide.

Birkirkara replied in the 16th minute when a faulty clearance by a St Andrews defender saw the ball going to substitute Jake Grech, but the latter skied the ball from an ideal scoring position.

Birkirkara were reduced to 10 men on 31 minutes when Carlos Alberto Gonzalves was shown a red card for elbowing St Andrews player Matthew Gauci.

Just before the interval whistle, St Andrews had a good chance to open the scoring but Kemar Reid saw his shot going well wide of the target.

St Andrews were unlucky not to score in the 49th minute when from a perfect cross by Reid, Atkinson hit the crossbar from two metres when scoring was much more easy.

The Saints continued to dictate matters and in the 53rd minute, a Blagrove shot had goalie Naumovski diving full length to save.

On 66 minutes, the Saints missed another good chance when off a Davis cross, Atkinson's header went over the bar.

The Saints even contrived to miss a penalty when on 69 minutes Atkinson was floored in the area when on the point of shooting at goal, but from the spotkick Kemar Reid hit the crossbar with a powerful shot.

Birkirkara's only effort till then was a long distance lob by Ryan Scicluna which landed on the net.

Atkinson was again a protagonist on 75 minutes. Goalie Naumovski tried to dribble the Saints striker, but in so doing, not only did he fail, but the ball hit Atkinson and rolled slowly towards the goal, only to hit the upright and rebound out.

The Saintswere finally rewarded in the 80th when off a cross from the left, it was Misael Miranda Gomez who fired home of.f Naumovski's hands.

St Andrews were awarded a second penalty on the 84th minute when Jake Grech floored an unidentified Saints player on the edge of the area. From the spotkick, Blagrove saw his shot saved by the Birkirkara goalie.

There was confusion near the end when Birkirkara protested hotly for a penalty claiming that a St Andrews player had handled the ball in the area, but the referee ignored their protests and soon after, to add insult to injury, Jake Grech was shown a second yellow card which led to his dismissal.

The final whistle found the Saints worthy winners of three very precious points.

As the two sides were walking towards the dressing room, there were some clashes between some of the players and Ryan Scicluna and Kemar Reid were shown a red card by the official.

 

 

Come come from behind to beat Sliema and make sure of 3rd place

Gzira U. 2
Sliema W. 1

Gzira U: A. Curmi, R. Briffa, S. Borg, D. Mambouana, C. Gatt Baldacchino, Z. Scerri, E. Zarate Bilbao, H. Garba, A. Cohen, A. Samb (J. Corbolan), N. Okoye (K. Thackray)

Sliema W.: A. Cotticelli, M. Sansone (O.Elouni), S. Bianchiardi, F. Temile, E. Agius (P. Xuereb), K. Shaw, J. De Assis, R. Spiteri (K. Ameli), J. Mintoff, M. Muchardi, R. Calisto

Referee: E. Grech

Asst refs: D. Sultana, D. Petrovic

4th official: T. Farrugia Cann

Scorers: K. Shaw, N. Okoye, H. Garba

Yellow cards: N. Okoye, E. Agius, M. Muchardi, A. Samb, H. Garba, E. Zarate Bilboa, R. Briffa

Player of the match: H. Garba

TMI Top 3: 1. H. Garba; 2. M. Muchardi, 3. A. Cohen

Attendance: 584

Gzira yesterday came from behind to beat neighbours Sliema 2-1 thus making sure of finishing a very creditable 3rd.

Following Birkirkara's defeat against St Andrews, Gzira could play with more tranquillity as they needed just a point to make sure of finishing third. But they went one better as they obtained all three.

The result also meant that the Maroons have ascertained themselves of a place in a European competition - the Europa League. It is the second time in the club's history that they will be playing in a European competition next season. The previous occasion was way back in season 1973-74 when they played in the then Cup Winners Cup first round against Brann Bergen of Norway.

In the first half, it was a balanced match as neither team seemed dominant.

Both had their scoring chances, with Sliema having the better start and taking the lead but the Maroons hit back quickly and threatened to take the lead just before the interval.

In the second half, Gzirfa took control of midfield and forced the Wanderers on the defensive until they took the lead through a splendid Haruna Garba who tormented the Blues' defence every time he had the ball at his feet.

Sliema had the first chance on the 5th minute when from  a John Mintoff low cross, a good shot by Michele Sansone was well saved by goalie Anthony Curmi.

In the 15th minute, Mambouana passed badly to goalie Curmi, Sansone anticipated him, but shot the ball wide from the angle.

In the 18th minute, Muchardi set De Assis beautifully in the area but the Gzira goalie rushed out of his charge to block to corner.

Sliema took the lead on the 30th minute when from a Muchardi freekick, it was Kurt Shaw who headed the ball into the net.

The Maroons, however, did not take long to get back on level terms, when after two shots were blocked by goalie Cotticelli, the ball ran out to Ndubisi Okoye who fired a humdinger into the net.

Just before the interval, Gzira almost scored again. A fine combination between Zarate Bilbao and Garba ended with the former hitting a fine shot which was well saved by Cotticelli.

Soon after the start of the second half, Andrew Cohen forced Cotticelli into an excellent save, turning to corner a dangerous freekick.

It was a prelude to the goal that arrived soon after. From the corner taken by Cohen, Haruna Garba headed home past the helpless Cotticelli.

In the 65th minute, Samb received a good pass in the Sliema area, but his effort was blocked by the onrushing goalie Cotticelli.

Two minutes later, Samb again tested Cotticelli seriously but the Sliema goalie brought the house down with another excellent save.

Sliema were made to defend for long stretches but on 83 minutes, substitute Kilan Ameli had a fine effort from the angle going just over the bar.

Till the end, Sliema pressed for an equaliser, but they never came close to scoring again.