Zejtun C 1

Balzan Y 2

A 90th-minute winner from substitute Lydon Micallef gave Balzan a dramatic 2-1 win over first division side Żejtun Corthinians, to book their place in the last 16 of the U*Bet trophy.

Balzan made bright start on a bitterly cold afternoon at the National Stadium, with Calcado hitting a 23-minute opener when he pounced on a short clearance of goalkeeper Ranier Farrugia, following a shot by Miguel Ciantar.

But, after an excellent first-half performance, Żejtun drew level through Gers Delia’s 55th-minute strike, only for substitute Lydon Micallef to find some space down the right wing, who outsprinted Farrugia before firing into the unguarded net.

Balzan’s Lydon Micallef came on as a substitute late in Saturday’s match, which looked destined for extra-time until, the striker pounced on some hesitant Żejtun defending to round the goalkeeper and slot home.

Zejtun C - R. Farrugia, E. Azzopardi, M. Borg, A. Farrugia, J. Abela, N. Filipov, K. Abela, K. Ganchev (88 L. Micallef), G. Delia, W. Elzaredi (90 R. Cauchi), C. Magro.

Balzan Y - F. Tabone, C. Ciantar (62 R. Forace), D. Fenech, Y. Camilleri, J. Francica, B. Guga, B. Bondin, D. Grima, P. Calcado, M. Ciantar (75 L. Micallef), F. Bernardes (S. Ciscaldi).

Referee - Andre Arciola