League champions Balzan beat Melita with the odd goal in five to dent Melita’s hopes of obtaining promotion. Melita remain equal on points with Mosta and with only one match remaining a decider might be in the offing.
It was a spectacular match with both sides playing their hearts out in search of victory. Balzan deserved their victory and their experience was the winning factor yesterday against the young and inexperienced Melita side who still remain in the hunt for promotion.
Melita were the better team in the opening stages going close with a Carnago San Pedro corner that deceived Fredrick Tabone and hit the crossbar. Slowly but surely Balzan started to play better with Dos Santos Calcado in splendid form.
On 25 minutes Balzan took the lead when Calcado passed towards Rennie Forace who beat Zahra with a low shot. Melita were now finding the going hard as Balzan took control of midfield and dictated matters for long stretches.
However on 33 minutes Melita missed a good opportunity when goalkeeper Tabone fumbled the ball, but Julian Galea failed to take advantage shooting off target.
Five minutes from the break Balzan doubled the score when Calcado had a good run on the right flank and passed towards Steve Meilak who first timed beautifully past Melita goalkeeper Zahra.
On the resumption Melita tried to get back in the game and introduced striker Nicolo Baldacchino to add punch in attack. But they left gaping space at the back and inside the first ten minutes Balzan had two great scoring chances.
On 53 minutes Anywanna beat the offside and advanced all alone in front of goal but shot incredibly wide with only Zahra to beat. Sixty seconds later the same Anywanna missed another sitter when Steve Meilak did all the running before serving Anywanna, but the Nigerian again missed an open chance.
Melita tried to push everything forward and Carnago San Pedro and Julian Galea had near misses with the ball slightly over the bar. On 65 minutes Melita were back in business when Kane Micallef floated a perfect freekick towards Rudi Alhinio who fired home from close range.
Melita now pushed everything forward and defender George Gribbon was denied by a brilliant Fredrick Tabone save. On 75 minutes Balzan re-established their two-goal cushion when substitute Lyden Micallef was tripped inside the box by Julian Galea, and from the resultant penalty Calcado made no mistake sending Zahra the wrong way.
Ten minutes from time Balzan were reduced to ten men when striker Anywanna was sent off for dissent. Balzan even lost Calcado who limped off injured and two minutes from time Melita pulled one back when Balzan defender beat his own goalkeeper in an attempt to clear away the danger.
In injury time Melita pushed desperately forward but it was too little too late as Balzan held on to their slender lead to notch their fourteenth victory of the season.
Balzan Y F. Tabone, C. Ciantar, J. Francica, D. Agius (L. Micallef), C. Micallef, D. Grima, R. Conceicao, R. Forace, U. Anywanna, S. Meilak (M. Buttigieg), P. Dos Santos Calcado (A. Agius).if they finish
Melita K. Zahra, R. Alhinhio, L. Martinelli, G. Gribbon, A. Caruana Scicluna (N. Baldacchino), M. Martin, M. Borg, K. Micallef, J. Galea, E. Carnago San Pedro (T. Terpougoff), L. Micalef (S. Galea)
Referee Esther Azzopardi