Balzan-Tarxien R 3-2
Balzan FC: M. Bartolo, A. Scicluna, J. Grioli (G. McKay), S. Bezzina, L. Ramon Dos Santos, F. Vignaroli (K. Magro), D. Grima (R. Darmanin), P. Calcado, E. Zarate, L. Micallef, J.Armario Negrin
Tarxien R: N. Vella, C. Mamo, M. Caruana (M. Ciantar), A. Agius, L. Martinelli (W. Barbosa), D. Toure, R. Sammut, C. Menendez, K. Pulo, J. Mifsud, J. Silva
Referee: A. M. Sant
Asst.refs: C. Francalanza, T. Debono
4th official: A. Arciola
Scorers: J. Negrin 30, 87, L. Micallef 34, D. Toure’45+, 66
Yellow cards: D. Grima, C. Menendez, J. Mifsud, S. Bezzina, A. Scicluna
Player of the match: D. Toure’ (Tarxien R)
TMI top 3: 1. P. Calcado 2. J. Silva 3. D. Toure’
Attendance: 273
Following their win against Naxxar Lions on Monday, Balzan could still entertain hopes of making it into the Championship Pool and needed the points badly against Tarxien Rainbows.
They looked heading towards a comfortable win yesterday, when being two goals up shotly after the half hour and clearly superior once they had taken the lead.But they surrendered the lead and were caugfht up by gritty opponents, only for their forward Jose Negrin to score a late dramatic winner three minutes from the end.
The win, their fourth on the trot, lifts Balzan into sixth place, one point above Naxxar Lions before their derby match aqgainst Mosta today.
Balzan fielded an unchanged side and immediately showed their attacking intent, holding the initiative in the early stages.
At kick-off, the pitch was all soaked with water due to the heavy rainfall and shortly after the start, a strong gale forced the referee to stop the match for about three minutes as the players took shelter.
When play resumed, Calcado’s long range free kick went through the Tarxien defensive wall but keeper Vella could save. On Grima’s cross from the right, Micallef ballooned his effort just over.
Tarxien had Carlo Mamo back in their defence and gave starts to Karl Pulo and Josef Mifsud, both used as substitutes in the previous match against Birkirkara. Demba Toure’, their new signing from Birkirkara in a swap deal with Ronallie Calheira, was making his debut for the Rainbows and scored a brace. But their main threat was always Jorge Silva, with his powerful runs, crosses and shots at goal. His effort on 23 minutes went tantalisingly wide, as the Rainbows tried to interrupt Balzan’s early pressure.
Tarxien’s Nicky Vella was always the busier keeper though. On 27 minutes he turned Calcado’s effort into a corner before Balzan broke the deadlock on the half hour. The ball bounced inside the Tarxien area for Jose Armario Negrin to knock it past Vella.
Tarxien substituted Luca Martinelli with William Barbosa soon after.
Balzan doubled thier lead though on 34 minutes. Calcado played the ball forward to Lydon Micallef who advanced on the left and beat keeper Vella with a low diagonal shot.
But as Balzan looked crusing towards a comfortable two-goal lead by halftime, Tarxien reduced the deficit in added time. Agius’ cross was blocked inside the Balzan area and the ball rolled to Demba Toure’ who slotted it in from close range.
Tarxien almost drew level just before the halftime whistle. Caruana’s long range drive thumped against the bar and was tipped into a corner by keeper Bartolo.
Balzan regrouped for the second half but handed the initiative to their opponents as they opted to defend their advantage.
Tarxien did not exert themselves much but could see more of the ball. Menendez’s powerful shot from a distance on 58 minutes, went slightly over.
On 66 minutes, Tarxien won a corner from the left, kicked by Jorge Silva, for Demba Toure’ to head in and level matters.
Balzan looked rattled and unable to make a reaction, especially with their two midfield mentors Vignaroli and Grima playing below their best before both being substituted by Kurt Magro and Ryan Darmanin.
It was only in the late stages that Balzan summoned enough effort to move forward. On 86 minutes they procured a choral move between Calcado and Darmanin with the latter heeling the ball towards the unmarked Negrin who, incredibly, shot wide.
Hardly a minute later, Jose Negrin made amends. He persisited on a through ball inside the Tarxien area, shrugged off his opponent’s challenge to steer the ball past keeper Vella for a dramatic finish.