Balzan Y: J. Galea, C. Micallef, J. Francica, R. Farrugia, D. Agius, S. Aquilina, G. Tanti (I. Zammit), M. Sciortino (C. Caruna), D. Fenech (A. Agius), P. Anizoba, S. Shead

Dingli S: J. Farrugia, R. Briffa, C. Caruana (E. Farrugia), R. Conceicao, S. Tellus, R. Spiteri (C. Azzopardi), H. Doda (D. Zarb), K. Formosa, C. Muscat, D. Cachia, J. Okonkwo

Referee: P. Caruana Asst refs: A. Camilleri, M. Mercieca 4th official: G. Tonna

Scorers: S. Shead, R. Conceicao, I. Zammit pen

Yellow cards: R. Conceicao, D. Agius, R. Briffa

Dingli Swallows were the second Premier team to fall victims to Balzan Youths in this season’s U*BET FA Trophy. After beating Msida SJ in the first round, resilient Balzan stretched Dingli into extra time after a goalless drab 90 minutes to finally emerge 2-1 winners and progress further into the quarter finals.

Balzan, who stand in the upper ranks of the First Division, still with a chance for promotion, may not be entertaining to watch, but they have a regimented style which makes them very tough opponents to play against.

Neither side prevailed in a dull first half, contrasting the sunny weather at Hibernians Ground which allowed both fixtures to go on as planned for a change.

Tanti’s shot from the byeline on the right forced Dingli keeper Farrugia to save into a corner in the first real threat after 11 minutes play.

Dingli, who had all their three foreigners included in the starting line-up, relied on the pacey runs of Okonkwo up front. On the quarter hour, when challenged by Micallef, he persisited inside the Balzan area but was finally thwarted by keeper Galea who blocked at his feet.

Both sides fluffed chances, failing to put their efforts on target. On 21 minutes Caruana shot Okonkwo’s pass over and on the other end, Shead also skied the ball for Balzan.

When Fenech had his shot blocked inside the Dingli area, Sciortino shot wastefully over and the chance went begging for Balzan Youths.

Balzan went close again three minutes before the break. Shead connected well on Anizoba’s cross from the right but his shot was blocked on the line by Dingli’s Dino Cachia.

Play remained mediocre in the second half, despite both teams making substitutions.

It was only in the last quarter hour that the teams carved out a couple of scoring opportunities but, for lack of decent finish, the match remained goalless.

Shead missed Balzan’s best opportunity on 75 minutes when put clear by Tanti. The flag stayed down but the Balzan forward shot off target.

Anizoba had his shot blocked by keeper Farrugia after advancing on the right before substitute Zarb missed the target on a good pass from Formosa.

Ivan Zammit went in for Glenn Tanti in the late stages of normal time.

But Dingli were first to threaten in the opening minutes of extra time. Azzopardi, served by Zarb, had his shot saved into a corner by keeper Galea.

On five minutes, Balzan broke the deadlock. Caruana put Simon Shead free. This time he made no mistake with his powerful shot past the helpless keeper.

It took Dingli only four minutes to equalise. From a Zarb free kick from the right, Renato Conceicao headed in.

Balzan were back in front two minutes into the second half of extra time. Dingli defender felled Sheads just inside the area to concede a penalty. Ivan Zammit beat keeper Farrugia with a delicate chip.

The Youths could preserved their lead as Dingli’s reaction remained weak and it was only on the stroke of time that Conceicao thumped his free kick against the bar. But that was too little too late.