Balzan Y. 0

Senglea Ath. 0

Gallant Balzan, who played for 88 minutes with 10 players, foiled Senglea’s attempt to reduce the gap with Mqabba at the top of the table. The result leaves Mqabba three points clear at the top of the table, and with sides like Hamrun, Mosta and St. George’s now closer to Senglea in the promotion race. For Balzan this was a precious point considering their handicap, and now they join Naxxar on 14points at the other end.

The match had a turning point just after two minutes when Balzan’s goalkeeper Ranier Farrugia was sent off by referee Kevin Azzopardi. Senglea striker Timothy Thomas came face to face with goalkeeper Farrugia who blocked with his hands outside the penalty area to stop Thomas’ lob at goal.

With this numerical superiority Senglea were expected to dominate their opponents, who however defended well, never giving away an inch with Capitta and Pace above the rest. Their reserve goalkeeper Bonello who had to come in vice Simon Mizzi was rarely tested by a rather opaque Senglea striking force.

Balzan had their good moments in attack with Alistair Camilleri and Matthew Sciortino giving Babolayefa a hard time. Senglea’s best chance in the first half came in the closing stages when Brian Bonello could only partially punch but Leonid Mckay shot over the bar when well placed.

The second half started with Senglea having a good chance when Kenneth Abela passed to McKay inside the area and the Senglea striker tested Bonello with a grounder. On 64 minutes Alexander Farrugia blasted high from the edge of the area.

Balzan’s opportunity came through a Jerryton Agius freekick that almost deceived goalkeeper Attard. Darren Grech had a good move on 74 minutes and from his cross Kenneth Abela headed over the bar. On the other end Stefan Farrugia shot weakly when well placed.

Senglea tried desperately in the dying minutes but the best chance of the match came to Balzan who almost obtained an incredible victory when a Stefan Farrugia bombshell missed the crossbar by inches.