Balzan Y 2

St Patrick 0

Balzan Youths registered an easy 2-0 win over struggling St Patrick to go temporarily in second place of the table, two points behind league leaders Marsaxlokk who have a game in hand.

The game never reached high standards, and play was very boring at times. St Patrick shared the exchanges for long stretches with their opponents but were never dangerous in front of goal.

Balzan looked by a far a better lot with Anizoba playing a very good game against his former club, even scoring the goal that completely killed the match two minutes from time.

Clayton Caruana’s freekick after only two minutes was the first attempt in what promised to be an entertaining match, but it was not to be. On 13 minutes Thomas Caruana made his way inside the area but his close range shot was well saved by Joshua Galea. The same Caruana had a good freekick going inches wide, and a Milovanovic shot also missed the target.

On 25 minutes Balzan Youths forged ahead when Peter Anizoba found space inside the area and crossed towards the completely unmarked Rennie Forace who headed easily home.

The Saints tried to hit back with a disappointing Failla freekick, and on the other end the Saints goalkeeper had to rush out of position to block Simon Shead. Two minutes from the break, Mintoff miskicked the ball and Anizoba tried his luck with a lob that missed the upright by a whisker.

On the resumption Balzan went close with Simon Shead denied by Mintoff’s daring saved. On the hour Luke Sciberras’ shot was blocked by Galea and from the rebound Milovanovic crossed towards Simon Zerafa who blasted well over the bar. Three minutes later Anizoba passed towards Shad who was once again blocked by Mintoff.

On 70 minutes Anizoba dribbled past two defenders with his shot saved by Mintoff. Two minutes from time Balzan sealed the issue with the second goal when substitute Aaron Agius passed towards Peter Anizoba who dribbled past goalkeeper Mintoff before putting at the back of the net.

16-year old thwarts Vittoriosa’s hopes

Pieta H 1

Vittoriosa S 1

A goal scored by 16-year-old Zack Muscat four minutes from the end dented Vittoriosa’s hopes of regaining the second place in the table. Pieta gained a valuable point thanks to a late rally, a point which can prove to be a vital one in their quest to avoid relegation.

The match never reached high standards and Vittoriosa were heading towards a slender victory after two consecutive defeats. The Stars had taken the lead early in the game thanks to a splendid freekick scored by Gary Inguanez. But Vittoriosa failed to impress and although having the upper hand for long stretches they were unable to wrap up the match with a second goal.

The Stars had a flying start and went ahead on eight minutes when Gary Inguanez scored direct from a freekick. Vittoriosa continued to play the better football as Pieta had no answer to their opponents’ technical superiority.

On 23 minutes Joseph Chetcuti shot slightly wide, and some minutes later Chitescu’s long distance lob finished on the roof of the net.

On 36 minutes Chitescu passed towards Joseph Chetcuti who could only shoot straight in Galea’s waiting hands. In the dying minutes of the first half Vittoriosa could have added another goal but Montfort was on the alert to save shots from Joseph Chetcuti and Gary Inguanez.

The first scoring action of the second half came on 63 minutes when Pieta’s Matthew Agius missed a glorious chance in front of goal after an incredible run by Alabi. On 77 minutes Miguel Montfort kept his side in the match when he saved a point blank shot by Chitescu who was well served by Joseph Chetcuti.

Pieta grew in confidence in the last quarter of an hour and eight minutes from time Quilan refalo tried his luck from the edge of the area but Henry Bonello saved his grounder.

Two minutes later Vittoriosa had their best chance when Elton Vella crossed towards Chitescu who hesitated in front of goal, with the ball cleared towards Joseph Chetcuti whose shot from two meters was saved by Montfort.

Four minutes from time Pieta stunned their opponents when they obtained the equalizer. Refalo’s cross from the left was perfectly met by 16-year old Zack Muscat who had just came in as a substitute, and his shot finished at the back of the net past a helpless Bonello.