Balzan-Qormi 1-0

Balzan: E. Bartolo, J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, LR dos Santos, A. Scicluna, K.Magro, ED Zarate Bilbao, D. Grima, L. Micallef (M. Spiteri), P. dos Santos Calcado, JL Armario Negrin (L. Sciberras).

Qormi: M. Farrugia, O. Bugeja, J. Bondin (E. Vella), R. Bajada, L. Grech, T. Caruana, R. Sammut, C. Terribile, A. Effiong, G. Nucera (A. Isakka), D. Pisani.

Referee: C. Pisani

Asst refs: P. Apap, W. Debattista.

4th official: AM Sant

Scorers:  JL Armario Negrin,

Yellow cards: P. Calcado, C. Terribile, T. Caruana, A. Effiong, ED Zarate

Red card: O. Bugeja.

Player of the match: P. Calcado

TMI Top 3: 1. ED Zarate, 2. S. Bezzina, 3. A. Effiong.

An Armario Negrin goal on 54 minutes was enough for Balzan to beat Qormi and therefore remain in contention for a place in the Top Six in the second phase.

They are now on the 22-point mark, four points behind Mosta and there are still three matches to go before the end of this first phase.

This was a mostly yawn-laden match, especially in the first half with goal actions being very rare.

In the first half neither side seemed intent on producing a bold effort to find the opponents’ net.

The two front lines were too weak when facing two strong defences where Sammut and Caruana, on one side, and Grioli, Bezzina and Dos Santos on the other, were well in control.

The goalless score at the interval was not only fair, but richly respected what was being witnessed on the field of play.

Play improved a bit on the changeover as both sides appeared to be more aggressive.

At first it was Qormi who appeared likely to score missing a good chance through Effiong.

When Balzan scored and took the lead some moments later, Qormi were obviously shocked and found it difficult to get back into the game as Balzan were well organised at the back and never passed through another anxious moment.

Qormi threathened first on the fifth minute when Effiong set Roderick Bajada only for the latter to see his shot going just over the post.

At the other end, soon after, Farrugia was called into action, saving a shot from Zarate without much difficulty.

Qormi had a fine move on the 15th minute. It was Christian Terribile who set Gianluca Nucera beautifully in the Balzan area, but the latter’s shot was punched out by Emmanuel Bartolo.

A lot of midfield play ensued with neither team being able to provide the scarce crowd present with some thrills.

Finally, in the 42nd minute, Balzan again had an attempt through Kurt Magro, but the low shot was easily saved by goalie Farrugia.

And soon after, at the other end, Leighton Grech received a good ball from Effiong, but Steve Bezzina came to his side’s rescue, blocking the Qormi striker’s shot.

Just before the interval, it was Calcado who tested Farrugia between the Qormi posts, but the shot was easy prey for the goalie.

At the start of the second half, the two sides started in an aggressive mood. First it was Balzan who had a good chance when from a Zarate cross, Negrin’s flick was blocked by Farrugia. And at the other end, immediately afterwards, Effiong went through on his own, but his final effort was deviated to a corner by the onrushing Bartolo.

Balzan took the lead on the 54th minute when Calcado set Zarate on the left flank: the latter crossed low into the area where Negrin had no difficulty in planting the ball into the empty net.

Balzan almost added another one five minutes later when a Negrin cross was a little too high for Grima and Zarate.

Qormi replied with a central Triston Caruana freekick saved by Bartolo. Later Bajada had an attempt from outside the area going over.

Qormi finished the match in 10 men when Owen Bugeja was shown a red card.