Birkirkara-Balzan Y 1-0
Birkirkara: J. Haber, Z. Muscat (R. Camenzuli), N. Vukanac, M. Bissi, J. Zerafa, E. Herrera, G. Sciberras, P. Fenech, S. Shodiya (R. Scicluna), F. Temile (R. Calheira), Jhonnattan
Balzan FC: M. Bartolo, J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, A. Scicluna, K. Magro (M. Spiteri), F. Vignaroli, R. Darmanin, E. Zarate, P. Calcado, D. Grima (L. Micallef), J.Armario Negrin
Referee: A. Arciola
Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, T. Debono
4th official: P. Farrugia
Scorer: P. Fenech 68
Yellow cards: K. Magro, F. Vignaroli, G. Sciberras, M. Bartolo, J. Grioli, P. Calcado, R. Camenzuli
Red card: J. Zerafa, F. Vignaroli
Player of the match: P. Fenech (Birkirkara)
TMI top 3: 1. E. Zarate 2. S. Bezzina 3. Jhonnattan
Attendance: 586
This was not a commanding performance by leaders Birkirkara and the overwhelming reaction after their narrow win over Balzan was relief.
Defeat was perhaps harsh on Balzan, as they gave title favourites a good run for their money with a plucky challenge that however left them pointless at the end.
The first half was a slow burner, with very few goalmouth actions, but the match sparked into life in the second period, with a player from each side sent off, Birkirkara’s goal from an indirect free kick inside the Balzan area and the Stripes’ late call for a penalty turned down by the referee.
Balzan, who surrendered a two-goal lead to Mosta in the previous match, exiled Ramon Dos Santos and Lydon Micallef to the bench and gave starts to Kurt Magro and Dylan Grima instead. Micallef replaced Grima for the second half.
Birkirkara made only one change from the side that drew against Valletta the previous week, with Mathias Bissi replacing Alejandro Mendoza in defence.
Birkirkara initially appeared clumsily one-dimensional, looking scrappy and tame for almost a whole hour.
Balzan proved obstinate opponents and it was to their credit that the free flowing movement of Birkirkara’s attack was contained during the first uneventful 45 minutes.
In fact the champions could only threaten seriously past the half hour. Benitez caused havoc inside the Balzan area after picking Herrera’s pass but he was thwarted by keeper Bartolo who saved into a corner. From the resultant Temile corner, Bissi placed his effort wide.
Fabio Vignaroli, Pedro Calcado and Edison Zarate produced all their technical qualities in midfield and Birkirkara, who usually thrive in this department, were often struggling, perhaps for the first time this season, to take a grip on the proceedings.
The pattern of play did not change much in the second half, with Balzan staying composed and Birkirkara struggling for rhythm. But the second 45 minutes offered more episodes of note and various twists that had a bearing on the final result.
The first came on the hour, shortly after Birkirkara had replaced Temile with Ronallie Calheira, when their defender Joseph Zerafa was sent off for a crude tackle on Calcado.
That did not seem to effect the Stripes very much as they still held the initiative. Calheira was thwarted by keeper Bartolo as he ran through on a Shodiya pass and then Shodiya had his shot deflected slightly into a corner.
The second episode that defined the final outcome came on 68 minutes and led to the only goal of the match. Birkirkara were awarded an indirect free kick inside the Balzan area, after keeper Bartolo’s handling on an adjudged back pass. Jhonnattan played the ball short to Paul Fenech to blast the ball in.
Balzan’s frustration after falling behind was epitomised when, two minutes later, their midfielder Fabio Vignaroli also received marching orders after protesting too loud for a booking to Grioli for a foul on Camenzuli.
As the game became stretched, and Balzan desperately searched for an equaliser, Jhonnattan ran in full flight inside the Balzan area but was caught up by Zarate, who pushed him to the ground, but claims for what looked like a legitimate Birkirkara penalty was turned down by the referee.