Balzan Y 2

Dingli S 0

Balzan consolidated their top of the table position with an easy victory over lowly Dingli who finished the game with ten players.

Although not playing one of their best matches, Balzan were still good enough to obtain this victory, were they dominated completely especially in the second period. Dingli were really disappointing yesterday with barely an attempt at goal in the whole ninety minutes.

The first half was real bore to watch with league leaders a pale shadow of the team that rallied back to beat St George’s last week. Although constantly in possession of the ball Balzan were never really dangerous and opened the score through a rather soft goal when Dingli goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia lost possession of the ball following a Conceicao cross from the left and David Fenech was on hand to half volley the ball home.

On 17 minutes a Calcado freekick was met by Steve Meilak but his header was too weak to worry Farrugia. On 33 minutes David Agius had a good run on the right flank but his effort was well saved by Farrugia. Just before the break Lyden Micallef penetrated inside the box but lost the best chance of the first half hitting wide.

Dingli Swallows never produced a decent move inside the opponents’ half with Ciappara, Chirino and Azzopardi on different wavelengths.

On the resumption Balzan were again on the attack and had shots from Lyden Micallef and Calcado blocked by goalkeeper Farrugia. Balzan introduced Anywanna in attack after a long absence. He went close in his first attempt shooting slightly off target on the hour.

On 63 minutes Dingli were dealt a severe blow when their goalkeeper Farrugia was sent off for flooring Calcado on the edge of the area, with referee Lautier awarding a rather dubious penalty. From the spot Anywanna was denied by Dingli’s reserve goalkeeper Mark Abela who had just came in as a substitute.

But on 76 minutes Balzan incremented their lead and put the issue beyond doubt when Pedro Dos Santos Calcado scored the second goal with a good shot from an acute angle following a David Agius long cross.

Following this Balzan outclassed the de-motivated Dingli and could have easily added further goals to their tally.

Balzan Y – F. Tabone, I. Zammit, J. Francica, R. Farrugia, D. Agius, D. Fenech, R. Conceicao (B. Bondin), D. Grima, P. Santos Calcado, S. Meilak (M. Sciortino), L. Micallef (U. Anywanna).

Dingli S – J. Farrugia, K. Pace, R. Sammut, S. Tellus, C. Ciappara, K. Formosa, E. Farrugia (M. Abela), C. Caruana (K. Bonavia), R. Briffa, C. Azzopardi (J. Sapiano), J. Chirino.

Referee – Chris Lautier