Mqabba 2

Balzan Youths   2   

Two goals in the space of 8 minutes from Calcado seemed to ne enough for Balzan Youths to overcome a spirited resistance from Mqabba who themselves had equalized just five minutes after Balzan’s first goal. However Timotic spoilt the Balzan party when a Grima cross found Timotic in the box deep in stoppage time whose looping header beat Camilleri

In this, the first match of the weekend Premier League fixtures after the break, Balzan Youths and Mqabba crossed swords in a keen match to determine who would be taking the points in the battle against relegation. Balzan were looking to avenge their previous defeat in the first round against the same Mqabba with both teams relatively unchanged from their last encounters.

Mqabba appeared quite keen to initiate proceedings and were the more enthusiastic team in the opening minutes although Balzan appeared to be controlling the situation quite well. After 18 minutes, Balzan came close with a shot by dos Santos which however ended up wide. Mqabba replied with a hopeful shot by Calleja which also however ended up wide.

Balzan created a good opportunity on 23 minutes when Deanov went on a long probing run but his dangerous cross did not meet any strikers in the box. Balzan were again dangerous on 35 minutes when Eviparker presented himself in the box but somehow could not connect with the ball being cleared for a corner.

Balzan should have scored on 54 minutes when a cross by Deanov found Grima whose conclusion was well saved by Calleja. Mqabba had their own chance on 56 minutes when Mazitelli presented himself in the box but his conclusion was somehow blocked by Camilleri and the Balzan defence.

Balzan Youths finally took the lead on 72 minutes when a fine pass by Bondin found Calcado who easily slipped the ball past an onrushing Calleja. But Mqabba hit back five minutes later with a beautiful goal scored by Bonnici who let fly from just outside the box and rooted Camilleri.

The match continued to produce surprises when Balzan Youths retook the lead on 81 minutes when Calcado scored the goal of the evening with a lovely in swinging drive. However the drama continued in the final minutes when Timotic rose to head past camilleri after receiving from Grima to steal a point for Mqabba.

Mqabba: K Calleja, M Bonnici, C Calleja (C Micallef), B Timotic, M Potezika, D Azzopardi (S Magro), B Mamic (J Nwoba 68’), P Grima, R Sammut, T Mazitelli, J Briffa

Balzan Youths: M Camilleri, Y Camilleri, J Francica, B Guga, C Ciantar (Bondin), R Forace, D Grima, N Tasic, P Calcado Dos Santos, M Deanov (M. Ciantar), A Eviparker (Fagner)

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi

Scorers: Calcado 72, 81’, Bonnici 77, Timotic 93

Yellow cards: Briffa, Grima, C Calleja, Bondin, Camilleri M, K Calleja

TMI Top 3: 1. Calcado, 2. Timotic, 3. Deanov