Floriana-Balzan 1-2

Floriana: D. Hanford, A. Scicluna, S. Eboh (I. Galea), I. Edet, S. Pisani, I. Coronado, D. Pinheiro de Sousa (RF Aguilar), J. Borg, L. Casha (B. Farrugia), G. Muir, S. Borg.

Balzan: E. Bartolo, A. Scicluna, S. Bellizzi, J. Grioli, LR dos Santos, F. Vignaroli, ED Zarate Bilbao, D. Grima (K.Magro), L. Micallef (L. Sciberras), P. dos Santos Calcado, JL Armario Negrin (R. Darmanin).

Referee: P. Caruana

Asst refs: I. Spiteri, C. Francalanza.

4th official: S. Spiteri

Scorers: S. Bezzina, JL Armario Negrin, I. Edet,

Yellow cards: J. Borg, A. Scicluna (Floriana ), A. Scicluna (Balzan), S. Borg, F. Vignaroli, J. Grioli,

Player of the match: S. Bezzina

TMI Top 3: 1. ED Zarate Bilbao, P. Calcado, G. Muir.

Balzan gained three very important points yesterday mainly thanks to a great first half performance.

Strikes by Steve Bezzina and Armario Negrin gave them a two-goal lead by the interval and that was enough to see them through to collect three points which push them also into contention for a Top Six berth.

For the Greens, it was yet another setback after last week’s defeat against top team Birkirkara. Their poor first half performance undoubtedly led to their downfall yesterday as Balzan appeared to be a much better equipped side.

Floriana had Christian Caruana and Clyde Borg missing through suspension while for Balzan, Pedro dos Santos Calcado was making a welcome return.

In the first half, there was only one team in the picture and that was Balzan who dictated play from start to finish.

They obviously showed the better ideas and the return of Calcado and the introduction in midfield of Zarate Bilbao (last season with Qormi) among their ranks have boosted their chances.

In fact, it was no surprise that they built a healthy two-goal cushion by the interval.

The Greens were rather disappointing. They were never in the picture and Balzan goalie Emmanuel Bartolo, on loan from Valletta, had absolutely nothing to do as the Greens were simply a poor lot.

Even their star player Igor Coronado was out of his depth yesterday as the Greens struggled to move forward. To sum it all, they did not even have a single decent shot on goal in the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, it was a different story. It was now the Greens who took over in midfield thanks to the non-stop Muir.

They managed to reduce the arrears but despite all their efforts, they were unable to save a point and they remain firmly entrenched in seventh place.

In this half, Balzan elected to defend their first half lead. When they suffered the goal, they seemed to be faltering, but only for a few minutes, as they controlled admirably till the end to emerge deserved winners.

Balzan quickly took the game in hand an on the 7th minute, Calcado already made his presence felt with a good effort which, however, was turned to corner by the alert Hanford.

On the 22nd minute, it was Zarate Bilbao who crossed into the Floriana area. Lydon Micallef seemed to be first on the ball, but goalie Hanford managed to block in two attempts.

Balzan appeared to be the better equipped side it was no surprise that they took the lead on the 26th minute. From a Calcado cornerkick, it was Steve Bezzina who had a header cleared from behind the line by Joseph Borg. Assistant referee Ingmar Spiteri ran towards the middle and the goal was confirmed.

Balzan missed another good chance on the 34th minute. A Zarate Bilbao low shot was only partially saved by Hanford. The loose ball went sideways but Negrin and Grima got into each other’s way and the chance went abegging.

Balzan deservedly doubled the score on the 39th minute when Steve Bezzina advanced and crossed from the left for Armario Negrin to sidefoot the ball past the helpless Hanford.

In first half added time, Zarate Bilbao again had a fine rising shot from the edge of the area just missing the target.

Seven minutes into the second half, it was Edet who saved an awkward situation for the Greens as he pushed the ball to a corner before Negrin could conclude after being set by Calcado.

Floriana were back in contention on the 59th minute. In one of their few attacks, they were awarded a corner. It was taken by Muir and defender Ibor Edet’s header gave Bartolo no chance.

Floriana now showed improvement and on 63 minutes, it was Bartolo who denied Muir turning the latter´s shot to a corner.

In the 75th minute, it was substitute Kurt Magro who set Negrin in the Floriana area, but Hanford rushed out of his charge to block.

Floriana pressed hard for an equaliser and in added time, it was Steve Pisani who tested Bartolo, but the goalie saved the grounder.