Balzan Y 0

Valletta 2

Valletta return to the top of the Premier League this morning after a hard fough victory against resilient Balzan Youths, reduced to ten men midway through the first half.

It was not until the second half that Valletta began to attack with real purpose. After a balanced first half, during which Balzan had defender Clifton Ciantar sent off for a foul on Jonathan Caruana, the champions had much the better of the second, without managing to break the deadlock. But Roderick Briffa put that right after 76 minutes with a shot from outside the area and finally substitute Alfred Effiong scored the second in the dying minutes.

Buoyed by the return of Forace in defence, and coming from back-to-back wins against Tarxien and Marsaxlokk, Balzan put a gallant performance as they refused to give up.Yessous Camilleri was suspended, but his deputy, David Fewnech played a blinder in defence.

Valletta made a tactical change, with Dyson Falzon starting as left back instead of Ian Azzopardi. Gilbert Agius was given a start in midfield, and Ryan Fenech dropped to the bench.

As expected, the champions made the early running, as Balzan were cautious at the back, crowded their midfield and left Calcado isolated up front.

After only six minutes, Barbosa made his way inside the Balzan area but put his shot over.

Towards the quarter hour, Edmond Agius hit Barbosa’ low cross first time but his effort was providentially blocked by Farrugia.

The match took a twist in Valletta’s favour on 25 minutes. The referee showed no hesitation as he brandished a straight red card to Balzan’s defender Clifton Ciantar for a foul on Jonathan Caruana in half pitch.

Valletta failed though to exploit their numerical superiority although Gilbert Agius advanced further upfield. Balzan remained composed, allowing their opponents few openings. Guga, Tasic and even forward Bright exhibited all their defensive qualities with their towering presence inside their area.

Valletta could only come up with their routine pot shots from Briffa and Pace but keeper Camilleri was equally up to task and the stalemate prevailed till halftime.

Valletta put in Effiong and Fenech for Pace and Barbosa respectively.

But to Balzan fell the first real chance of the half when on David Fenech’s low cross, Miguel Ciantar found himself unmolested inside the area but lofted the ball and the chance went to waste.

On 54 minutes Valletta went close with Gilbert Agius clipping the upright on a Fenech pass.

Valletta started to mount some sustained pressure. Denni shot narrowly over from a distance and past the hour Denni’s cross was headed by Mifsud, only for keeper Camilleri to turn into a corner.

Valletta were attacking with more fluency although frustration was evident with the passing of minutes.

On 69 minutes Fenech’s curling low free kick forced keeper Camilleri to stretch himself and turn into a corner.

Forace blocked Edmond Agius’ effort as Balzan looked likely to buckle under incessant pressure.

The deadlock was broken on 76 minutes. Falzon sent a low cross from the left to the unmarked Roderick Briffa who picked his spot from outside the area and beat keeper Camilleri as the ball took a slight deflection off Tasic.

Balzan were stunned as Valletta looked visibly relieved. A Bright shot on the turn ended wide and on the other end, Effiong headed Edmond Agius’ cross from the right over.

There was still time for Valletta to score a second goal with three minutes of normal time remaining. Falzon’s rasping grounder was picked by the unmarked Alfred Effiong who easily beat keeper Camilleri with a shot on the turn.

Valletta finally had reached their goal.

Balzan Y: M. Camilleri, C. Ciantar, R. Forace, B. Guga, R. Farrugia, N. Tasic (L. Bernardes), D. Grima, P. Calcado, M. Ciantar (B. Bondin), D. Fenech, K. Bright

Coach: I. Zammit

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Caruana, S. Borg, R. Briffa, E. Agius, J. Pace (A. Effiong), G. Agius, D. Falzon, D. Dos Santos (O. Zongo), W. Barbosa (R. Fenech), M. Mifsud

Coach: J. Zerafa

Referee: A. Arciola

Asst.refs: K. Borg, C. Francalanza

4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: R. Briffa 76, A. Effiong 87

Yellow cards: S. Borg, A. Effiong

Red card: C. Ciantar

Player of the match: Kris Bright (Balzan Y)

TMI top 3: 1. M. Camilleri 2. B. Guga 3. D. Falzon

Attendance: 860

Yesterday’s result

BOV League Div II: Mellieha-Gudja U 1-1