Sliema-Balzan 0-1

Sliema: G: Zammit, A. Muscat, J. Borg, J. Mintoff (A. Podda), S. Ohawuchi, C. Gatt Baldacchino, I. Woods (T. Cilia), P. Barbetti, M. Muchardi, B. Muscat (A. Xuereb), S. Bianciardi.

Balzan: E. Bartolo, J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, K. Magro, A. Scicluna, LR dos Santos, L. Micallef, P. Calcado, E. Bilbao Zarate, JL Armario Negrin, R. Darmanin (F. Aboulezz).

Referee: S. Spiteri.

Asst refs: E. Spiteri, S. Attard

4th official: C. Lautier

Scorer: Negrin

Yellow cards: S. Bianciardi, LR dos Santos, B. Muscat, P. Barbetti,

Red card: J. Grioli, C. Gatt Baldacchino

Player of the match: P. Calcado

TMI Top 3: 1. P.Calcado, 2. P. Barbetti, 3. S. Bezzina

Attendance: 344

Sliema suffered a setback to their hopes of landing an Europa League berth yesterday when they lost to Balzan yesterday evening.

It was a dramatic victory as Jose Luis Armario Negrin scored in the 93rd minute to give Balzan their first victory in the Championship Pool, although they have no further interest in the competition.

It was a rather merited win for Balzan who showed the better football and created the better chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Following this defeat, Sliema remain on 27 points, one behind Mosta who have today’s match against Birkirkara in hand.

Sliema had Vladavic and Balzan had Vignaroli missing through suspension.

The first half was characterised by a lot of useless and meaningless play in midfield from both sides, but in the second part, Balzan created two good openings which brought the game to life.

In the second half, Balzan remained the better team until they had Justin Grioli dismissed.

Then, they had to change tactics, although they still created the better opportunities, as the Wanderers found it rather difficult to penetrate the well organised Balzan defence.

Sliema had Ohawuchi returning from suspension among their ranks, but he was well under the control of the Balzan defence where Dos Santos was dominant.

Early in the match, both teams sized up each other and play resulted mostly in midfield.

Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested although Sliema’s Zammit once had to make a fine interception off a Magro cross.

In the 24th minute, a Barbetti freekick surprised Bartolo who then twice blocked on Woods and Ohawuchi before the ball was eventually cleared away by a Balzan defender.

Two minutes later, as Sliema insisted, Ohawuchi  crossed perfectly for Ivan Woods whose flick from two metres went over the bar.

Balzan responded with a  Zarate shot blocked by Bianciardi and soon after, Darmanin beat Zammit with a rising shot, but the point was rightly disallowed by the official for an offside infringement.

The best move arrived on the 33rd minute. Kust Magro advanced on the right and crossed into the Sliema area where Ryan Darmanin saw his excellent first timer tipped to corner by an excellent Glenn Zammit. From the cornerkick, it was again Darmanin who headed dangerously goalwards, but Zammit was again equal to the task, turning the ball to another corner.

As the second half started, it was again Balzan who threatened through a Calcado freekick which just missed the target.

In the 52nd minute, Balzan ended in 10 men when the official, Sandro Spiteri, showed a second yellow card to Justin Grioli. Despite the strong protests by the Balzan players, the official stuck to his decision.

In the 55th minute a weak Bezzina shot was easy prey for goalie Zammit. Three minutes later, it was Calcado who had a fine effort going just over.

Sliema had a good chance through substitute Alex Podda but his final effort was weak and easily saved by Bartolo.

Sliema failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority and Balzan again went close through a shot from Micallef which went just over.

Near the end, Sliema increased the pressure and Bianciardi had a header going just wide. And a little later, it was Ohawuchi who tried his luck only for his shot to be deviated to an abortive corner.

In the 90th minute, even Sliema ended in 10 men as Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was also shown the red card after a second yellow card.

In added time, Calcado set Micallef beautifully but the latter’s shot passed across goal and soon after, Calcado just missed the target after a solo action.

Just before the final whistle, it was Armario Negrin who beat Glenn Zammit for Balzan’s winner.