Naxxar L.-Naxxar 1-1

Naxxar L: J. Azzopardi, A. Buhagiar, G. Da Silva, P. Doffo (P. Guaye 69 min), E. Edet, U. Eminike, D. Falzon, D. Fenech, D. Reano, A. Scicluna, T. Vella (V. Bellia 70 min)

Balzan: C. Cassar, J. Grioli. S. Bezzina, E. Serrano Valero, E. Bilboa Zarate, I. Guobadia, L. Sciberras, L. Micallef (S. Sultana 27 min), O. Guerrero (M. Borg 90 min), J.P. Mifsud Triganza (M. Spiteri 85 min), G. Piccioni.

Referee: Sandro  Spiteri

Ass. Referees:  W. Debattista, P. Apap

4th Official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: G. Piccioni 8 min, G. Da Silva Ribeiro 29 min, 

Yellow cards: G. Piccioni, L. Sciberras, J. Grioli (B), P. Doffo, D. Reano, D. Fenech, D. Falzon (N)

Red card: C. Cassar 27 min (B)

Player of the match: Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro (Naxxar L)

TMI best three: 1. G. da Silva Ribeiro, 2. S. Sultana, 3. U. Eminike

Ten-man Balzan earned a deserved point against Naxxar Lions in a low key match. Balzan were the better team in the first part of the match as they controlled the game with relative ease, especially after taking an early Piccioni lead.

But on 27 minutes Balzan were reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Cassar was sent off after committing a penalty, from which Naxxar drew level. The match was a different story after this incident as Naxxar took control of the match in search of their first win of the season.

But Balzan never gave away an inch with substitute goalkeeper Steve Sultana proving to be one of the best players on the field of play. Naxxar thus gathered their first point of the season after their defeat against Qormi in their opening match. Eminike and da Silva Ribeiro had some inspiring moments, but it was not enough to break Balzan’ resistance in an ill-tempered match which included seven yellows and a red card.

Balzan were more aggressive from the start and they took the lead after barely eight minutes play when Grioli’s perfect cross from the right was met by Piccioni who headed beautifully home. Naxxar tried to hit back immediately but goalkeeper Cassar punched away a dangerous Eminike cross from the left flank.

Naxxar held the upper hand for long stretches but the Balzan defence was never really put under pressure.

On 25 minutes Angus Buhagiar shot over the bar after Cassar mistimed his sortie.  A minute later Darren Falzon darted inside the box only to be floored by goalkeeper Cassar who was shown the red card. From the penalty spot Gilmar Da Silva Ribeiro sent substitute Sultana the wrong way to obtain the equaliser.

On 36 minutes Balzan went close with a Guerrero freekick sailing over the bar.

On the other end Eminike was again unstoppable on the run and his scorcher from an acute angle was well blocked by Sultana.

On the resumption Naxxar went close on 54 minutes when Da Silva Ribeiro served Eminike whose point blank effort was brilliantly saved by Sultana. On 63 minutes Sultana was again outstanding when he saved a close range effort destined for the back of the net from Eminike, after a good run by Reano.

Sultana again came to his side’s rescue when he dived sideways to block a powering drive from Darren Falzon who was well served by substitute Papa Gueye.