Msida SJ 0

Balzan Y 2

Balzan Youths easily qualified to the semi final stages after beating 10-man Msida with a goal in each half. It was a one way traffic affair with Msida never in the game, especially after having Saliba sent off in the 36th minute.

Balzan will now meet group winners Mqabba in the semis next May. Msida ended their campaign in this competition with four consecutive defeats and failing to score one single goal in these matches.

Balzan took an early 10th minute lead when Anywanna won a tackle against Adrian Farrugia and entered the penalty area before firing a shot that finished at the back of the net.

Msida never ventured forward, and their only chance came from a dangerous back header by Balzan defender David Agius, who almost committed an own goal.

On 36 minutes Msida were reduced to 10 players when Karl Saliba received his second booking and was sent off. Balzan almost immediately took advantage of their numerical superiority but Simon Mizzi hesitated in front of goal and defender Adrian Farrugia managed to clear in time.

Balzan were constantly on the offensive in the second period and after three minutes Msida goalkeeper Alden made the best save denying David Fenech. On 58 minutes substitute Sylvan Ciscaldi’s shot went slightly over the bar.

Twenty minutes from time Jeremy Aldan once again came to Msida’s rescue when he saved a point blank shot from Anywanna. On 72 minutes Balzan put their minds at rest when from a David Fenech corner, substitute Matthew Sciortino fired low into the corner of the net, with Alden having no chance to save this time.

Two minutes later Anywanna beat the offside trap but his hard drive slammed against the crossbar.

Melita scored two goals in the space of five minutes to earn a point in their last match of the group against Mosta. With both sides eliminated, this match proved to be an exciting one, with the drawn result being fair.

Melita were better in the first half, but Mosta forged ahead and even doubled the score on the resumption. When Mosta seemed well in command, Melita rose from the ashes to score two quick goals and settle for a draw.

The game was very interesting in the first 45 minutes with both sides playing open attacking football..

On eight minutes Zahra twice denied Grima, finally turning the ball into a corner.

On 17 minutes Melita had a swift move inside the Mosta penalty area with Matthew Borg’s back heel towards Julian Galea whose bombshell from close range was blocked by Attard’s outstretched foot. Three minutes later Melita were rather unlucky when Luke Micallef’s shot was stopped by the crossbar.

On 28 minutes Matthew Borg dribbled past two defenders outside the penalty area, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Attard. A minute later Mosta took the lead almost against the run of play. Credit goes to the fast Gilbert Martin who beat Martinelli on the run before beating Zahra from an acute angle.

Mosta left Martin and Bregman in the dressing room for the second half and on 52 minutes they doubld the score. Simon Shead and Jonathan Bajada played the ball quickly before passing towards Ryan Deguara who slotted the ball home from an acute angle.

Mosta looked capable of controlling with relative ease, but on 73 minutes Melita pulled one back when Matthew Borg crossed from the left and Luke Micallef first timed home from close range.

Melita were now a transformed side and Matthew Borg was denied by an Attard daring save.

But on 78 minutes the Mosta goalkeeper could do nothing to save a Nicolo Baldacchino close range header.