Balzan-Mosta 2-4
Balzan FC: M. Bartolo, J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, A. Scicluna, R. Dos Santos, F. Vignaroli, R. Darmanin, E. Zarate, P. Calcado, L. Micallef, J.Armario Negrin (L. Sciberras)
Mosta: O. Borg, M. Brincat, I. Grech, K. Zammit (J. Brincat), M. Micallef, B. Kaljevic, R. Ekani, I. Zammit, A. Carrozza, C. Fernandez (K. Frendo), R. Faria (D. Pereira)
Referee: T. Marshall
Asst.refs: J. Thompson, G. Hagerty
4th official: K.Kennedy
Scorers: R. Darmanin 39, 51, B. Kaljevic 66, D. Pereira 73, C. Fernandez 77, M. Micallef 90+
Yellow cards: P. Calcado, O. Borg
Player of the match: R. Darmanin (Balzan)
TMI top 3: 1. P. Calcado 2. E. Zarate 3. D. Pereira
Balzan looked heading towards their first Championship Pool win yesterday as they lead Mosta by two goals for more than an hour.
Mosta however produced a remarkabke comeback in the second half, scoring three goals within ten minutes to turn the tables on their opponents and win an entertaining match that keeps them in the hunt for a place in Europe. Their fourth goal in added time added some excessive gloss as Balzan looked the better side in the first half.
Mosta were depleted without regulars like Tyrone Farrugia, Ryan Grech and Gian Marco Piccioni, all suspended. Coach Enrico Piccioni had to make changes in defence with Ismael Grech playing alongside Mark Brincat as central defenders and Ekani and Carrozza the wide backs. Cristian Fernandes partnered Bojan Kaljevic in Mosta’s attack but the introduction of Diego Pereira at halftime had a telling effect on the final result.
Dylan Grima did not feature for Balzan, who also had Kurt Magro suspended for this match. They made an assertive start asnd pressed Mosta during a cagey first 20 minutes with neither side able to take command of the proceedings.
Mosta threatened first with a Fernandez cross from the left to which Kaljevic arrived fractionally late. But as they gave away possession too cheaply, Balzan started to take gradual control. They looked dangerous playing an up-tempo passing game and towards the half hour Zarate won possession on the edge of the Mosta area on the left, rolled the ball towards the middle for Negrin to dart in and shoot at goal, with keeper Borg providentially blocking his effort. On 36 minutes Calcado’s rising shot was tipped over the bar into a corner by the Mosta shot stopper, before Balzan made the breakthrough three minutes later. Calcado delivered a floating cross from the right and Ryan Darmanin’s glancing header surprised keeper Borg and the ball ended over the goal line.
It was more than Balzan deserved at that point. Calcado tested Borg with another low drive from inside the area and just before the break Darmanin shot over the bar on Negrin’s pass.
Mosta needed to change something in the second half. They replaced the inocuous Faria with Diego Pereira and the substitute immediately headed a Carrozza’s cross straight at the goalkeeper. Micallef’s grounder was footed out into a corner by keeper Bartolo as Mosta grew more menacing.
They were hit hard however by Balzan’s second goal on 51 minutes. Mosta again lost possession outside their area and Calcado capitalised, playing the ball wide to the unmolested Ryan Darmanin to beat keeper Borg with a low angled shot.
But just when Balzan might have thought that they had the match wrapped up, Mosta effected their second substitution, sending in James Brincat, who turned out to be a constantheadache for the Balzan defence as Mosta suddenly jerked into shape. His cross shot towards the hour was missed by everybody and the ball rebounded off the upright.
On 66 minutes Mosta reduced the arrears. James Brincat delivered the cross from the left, Pereira headed the ball down towards Bojan Kaljevic to knock the ball over from close range. Mosta’s incessant pressure was causing problems to Balzan. Keeper Bartolo saved Kaljevic’s firm header on Carrozza’s free kick and on yet another James Brincat cross from the left, Pereira brushed the Balzan post.
Balzan wilted under pressure on 73 minutes. Micallef’s shot hit the underside of the bar and rebounded in play for Diego Pereira to head in from close range.
With Mosta all over their opponents, Darmanin fluffed a good chance for Balzan soon after, as he shot straight on keeper Borg, when put clear inside area by Grioli. That was the last meaningful chance for Balzan. Things got worse for them as, horribly exposed at the back, they collapsed to concede two more goals in the last 13 minutes to end up empty-handed.
The onslaught was not iver for Balzan and on 77 minutes Christian Fernandez, allowed space on the edge of the Balzan area on the right, scored with a stunning curling shot at the top left hand corner. Deep into four minutes of added time, Manolito Micallef advanced through the middle and again beat keeper Bartolo with a hard drive.
Ian Zammit could have added another goal for Mosta but keeper Bartolo was equal to task and foiled him with a smart save.