VITTORIOSA STARS 2
BALZAN FC 2
Vittoriosa S: S. Cini, R. Dos Santos, F. Aguiar (A. Spiteri), G. Martin (S. Arab), O. Guerrero, M. Teruel, S. Arab, M. Camilleri, M. Pereira, L. Vella Critien, M. Buttigieg
Balzan: D. Martinez, A. Agius, E. Beu (M. Spiteri), R. Darmanin (G. Calabretta), D. Grima (A. Scicluna), J. Grioli, L. Micallef, R. Pereira, L. Sciberras, S. Bezzina, F. Vignaroli
Referee: A. M. Sant
Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, C. Francalanza
Additional refs: G. Tonna, P. Farrugia
4th official: E. Spiteri
Scorers: A. Agius 31, O. Guerrero 40,78, A. Scicluna 89
Yellow cards: A. Agius, G. Martin, R. Darmanin, F. Vignaroli, F. Aguiar
Red card: A. Agius
Player of the match: G. Martin (Vittoriosa S)
TMI to three: 1.G. Martin 2. M. Teruel 3. R. Pereira
Attendance: 640
Two goals by their new Colombian Oscar Guerrero were not enough to guarantee newly promoted Vittoriosa Stars a win yesterday, after they looked the better team and carved the better chances throughout the 90 minutes.
The Stars looked heading towards an encouraging win as they led 10-man Balzan 2-1 with only a minute to go. Yet they were denied by Andrew Scicluna’s late equaliser from a set piece and had to settle for a point.
This draw perhaps serves Balzan better. Taking the lead past the half hour, Balzan allowed their gritty and sharper opponents to rally and even take the lead, when they had skipper Aaron Agius sent off on 65 minutes. To their credit, Balzan showed perseverance and were rewarded with a late equaliser that looked beyond them.
Balzan are a completely revamped side this season and surely need time to gel. Spanish keeper Martinez, defender Aaron Agius, midfielder Dylan Grima and forward Ryan Darmanin were the only ‘old’ faces in their starting line-up yesterday. Newcomers Rodrigo Perreira and Steve Bezzina undoubtedly have strengthened their defence with Justin Grioli, joining from Tarxien, an interesting prospect on the right flank. Albanian Erjon Beu and Italian Fabio Vignaroli were their other two foreigners as Jose Negrin was suspended and has still to make his debut for the new club.
Newcomers Vittoriosa, back in the Premier League after an absence of two seasons, presented themselves as quite competitive yesterday, with the addition of three new foreigners, midfielders Marcio Teruel and Oscar Guerrero, as well as Portuguese forward Felipe Aguiar, joining Brazilians Ramon Dos Santos and Marcelo Pereira who were retained from last season.
But it was other local newcomer Gilbert Martin who left the best impression, with his forages on the right flank, his dribbles and crosses which always caused embarassment to the Balzan rearguard.
Vittoriosa did seem to be settling quicker and created two good scoring opportunities within the first 10 minutes. Marcelo Pereira was blocked when running dangerously inside the Balzan area from the right. Then Ramon Dos Santos hit a Teruel free kick narrowly wide.
Midway through the half, Guerrero was put clear by Marcelo Pereira but hesitated too long and Balzan defender Rodrigo Pereira blocked.
Balzan threatened towards the half hour. Lydon Micallef took possession inside the area on the left, created space but shot over, before tacking the lead on 31 minutes. Aaron Agius managed to put his foot to Vignaroli’s cross from the left, putting the Vittoriosa keeper Cini off balance as the ball rolled over the line.
But hardly ten minutes later, Vittoriosa deservingly drew level. Martin persisted on the right, sent a low cross which the Balzan defence failed to clear and the ball rolled invitingly in the path of the unmolested Oscar Guerrero to hit in.
The second half was a failry balanced affair although Vittoriosa remained the sharper side.They immediately looked menacing with a Martin incursion down the right, his cross to Marcelo Pereira whose grounder was footed into a corner by keeper Martinez. Looking dangerous on the flanks, Marcelo Pereira advanced from the left after 56 minutes, went for goal but was blocked into a corner by keeper Martinez.
Balzan also had their moments. On 51 minutes Beu sent an inviting cross for Grioli who fluffed the chance by shooting over. On 58 minutes, Micallef was unlucky when he nodded Grima’s cross against the post. They paid dearly for that miss as Vittoriosa turned the match on its head after that.
On 65 minutes Balzan were down to ten men as defender and skipper Aaron Agius received marching orders for a second caution, after a reckless tackle on Martin, who was also forced to be substituted.
The Stars exploited their numerical superiority on 78 minutes. Substitute Siraj Arab advanced well on the right and crossed low for Oscar Guerrero to keep his cool and beat keeper Martinez with a rising shot.
Vittoriosa could have made sure of full points on 84 minutes but Guerrero skied the ball on substute Adam Spiteri’s cross.
Balzan were rewarded for their late efforts and perseverance. One minute from normal time, their two substitutes combined well to earn a draw. Mark Spiteri played a corner from the left and Andrew Scicluna rose high to head past keeper Cini at the top corner and break the Stars’ hearts.