Balzan-Birkirkara 1-2

 

Balzan: M. Falzon, J. Grioli, A. Scicluna, R. Pereira, S. Bezzina, F. Vignaroli, L. Sciberras (R. Darmanin 83’), D. Grima, L. Micallef, J. Dos Reis Santos (E. Beu 74’), J.L. Armario Negrin

Birkirkara: J. Haber, R. Muscat, A. Mendoza, N. Vukanac, P. Fenech, J. Zerafa, F. Temile (D. Zerafa 80), Z. Muscat (E. Herrera 62’), S. Haruna Shola, T. Vella, R. Scicluna (J. Benites 62’)

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Assistant Referees: Thomas Debono, Edward Spiteri

Yellow Cards: J. Zerafa 33min (B), R. Scicluna 59min (Bi), R. Pereira 67min (Ba), E. Beu 90min (Ba)

Scorers: Paul Fenech 40min (Bi), Dylan Grima 54min (Ba), Shodiya Haruna Shola 78min (Bi) 

BOV Player of the Match: Paul Fenech (Bi)

 

 A goal 12 minutes from the end of the match by Shodiya Haruna Shola gave champions Birkirkara their sixth consecutive win as they defeated Balzan 2-1.

Balzan were no pushovers as they fought till the end of the match and also there were moments where they could have won the match. Although Paul Zammit’s team claimed the three points, it wasn’t a five star performance as they were very eratic.

Birkirkara made two changes from last match with Ryan Scicluna and Shodiya Haruna Shola given starting places while Edward Herrera and Jhonnattan, who were later introduced as substitutes, started on the bench. Bissi was missing. Balzan had to do without Dani Miguelez, Mark Spiteri and Firas Aboulezz.

Balzan had their first opportunity on the 12th minute when Pereira headed to Lydon Micallef but his shot finished over the bar. Balzan had another occasion on the 21st minute when Negrin, from an angled position, came face to face with Haber but the Birkirkara goalkeeper managed to block in time. 

Birkirkara had their first action to note on the 23rd minute when from an indirect free-kick a shot from Vukanac finished wide. Two minutes later from a free-kick by Fenech, a header from Terence Vella was denied by the post. Balzan replied on the 34th minute with a free-kick from Pereira that finished over the bar.

Birkirkara took the lead on the 40th minute when from a cross that looked wasteful and easy for goalkeeper Michael Falzon, in a contrast between his team mate Bezzina and Temile, lost the ball to give the chance to Temile to cross to Paul Fenech who scored with a header alone from the small box.

Balzan managed to draw level on the 54th minute when Lydon Micallef passed to Armario Negrin who crossed in the small box where Dylan Grima was in the right place to finish the action with a goal.

Birkirkara’s reaction came on the 68th minute when a shot by Paul Fenech finished off target. A minute later Birkirkara went close when a shot by Terence Vella was cleared with a header by Scicluna with the ball finishing on the crossbar.

Balzan were again dangerous when Negrin received a good ball and, after he advanced, tried his luck with a diagonal shot but it finished centimetres wide.

Birkirkara scored the winning goal on the 78th minute when Terence Vella set Shodiya Haruna Shola who controlled the ball and placed it in the net with an angled shot.