NAXXAR LIONS-  0

VALLETTA –         1

Valletta had to work overtime to win this one with practically the last strike of the match from their Tunisian player Abdelkarim Nafti, leaving Naxxar Lions with nothing to show after a resilient performance that merited at least a point.

This defeat for Naxxar comes after three positive games in which they had won seven points.

Valletta registered their fifth win on the trot that keeps them firmly in third place, one point adrift of Birkirkara.

Naxxar proved obstinate opponents and it was to their credit that the free-flowing inventive of Abdelkarim Nafti, Hamza Barry and Roderick Briffa was often contained.

In fact Valletta carved out very few scoring opportunities yesterday, despite holding to long spells of possession, to really trouble Julian Azzopardi in the Naxxar goal.

The match was open, unpredictable but not gripping.

The Lions enjoyed their best patch in the first half but they laboured for a cutting edge. And could not keep up the same momentum after the interval.

Naxxar’s attacking intent was evident with the likes of Terence Vella, Jorge Silva, Frank Temile and Gilmar Ribeiro all featuring in their starting line-up. They proved quite a menace for Valletta’s three-man defence in the first half and went close on a couple of occasions, with Jorge Silva failing to put the finishing touch.

His diagonal shot from the right towards the quarter hour was held out by Valletta’s outstretched keeper Marino and midway through the half, when challenged by Dimech, his shot lacked enough power to beat the Valletta custodian.

On the half hour, Jorge Silva again hit feebly Temile’s cross from the right.

Valletta, with notable absentees like Ryan Camilleri and Ryan Fenech, and who again started with Llywelyn Cremona as their most advanced forward, were handicapped by the injury of Shaun Bajada midway through the opening half and coach Ivan Zammit was forced to substitute him with the young Kurt Borg.

The champions were not without a threat of their own though, as Nafti’s corner from the left rebounded off the far post in the opening minutes and the Naxxar keeper Azzopardi was forced to foot out Caruana’s angled effort on 24 minutes.

And after Ian Azzopardi cleared Vella’s cross before it could reach Jorge Silva, the match was still goalless at halftime.

The second half developed into a somewhat scrappy affair, with neither side dominating, as Naxxar withdrew Jorge Silva and put in Demba Toure’. Both sides showed too much wastefulness in the final third.

Vella missed the target after Temile’s square pass had cut the entire Valletta rearguard. On the other end, Cremona headed Borg’s inviting cross wide.

This turgid fare had thrown up one sparkling moment, five minutes from time. On a Ribeiro sailing free kick, Buhagiar ran in to hit against the post to the relief of the Valletta defence.

Naxxar were to pay a hefty price.

Deep into three minutes of added time, with the game drifting to its conclusion and a stalemate very imminent, Abdelkarim Nafti hit a defiant strike from the edge of the area to beat keeper Azzopardi at the top corner and break Naxxar’s hearts. How cruel football can sometimes be!

PIETA HOTSPURS-     0

BALZAN FC  -               3

Balzan bounced back into fourth place in the BoV Premier League, one point above Floriana, with a 3-0 victory over relegation candidates Pieta Hotspurs.

Their strikers might take the credit but it was far from a commanding performance and the spectacle on show throughout had hardly been the prettiest. Lydon Micallef’s second goal,13 minutes from time, must have come as a great relief when Pieta were pressing hard for an equaliser, and apprehension was mounting for Balzan, after they had gone in front through a Piccioni free kick midway through the first half.

Pieta’s fifth defeat in their last six outings seems an unlikely inspiration but in these most pressured circumstances the Hotspurs  produced probably one of their most lively displays of the season yesterday.

Balzan had defender Elkin Serrano back after suspension but were missing the services of two key players, Oscar Guerrero and Edison Zarate, both not fully fit. Terence Agius was given a starting role in midfield, with Luke Sciberras and Lydon Micallef only named among the substitutes.

Having scored only four goals in as many of their last matches, Pieta coach Noel Coleiro dropped Charles Newuche to the bench and opted to start with Ricardo Costa to support Luke Micallef and beef up their attack.

Both players were involved in the first noteworthy move of the match after nine minutes. Costa advanced inside the Balzan area on the left and went past the onrushing keeper Christian Cassar, but his cross was a bit too long for Micallef to connect to.

Balzan’s response came through Kaljevic, who went past  Grech down the left and crossed low for Pisani to intercept and prevent the ball from reaching the unmarked Piccioni.

Balzan made the breakthrough midway through the half when awarded a direct free kick just outside the Pieta area. Gianmarco Piccioni curled his shot past the Pieta wall, placing the ball beyond keeper David Cassar’s reach.

To their credit, Pieta were not demorilised. On 35 minutes keeper Christian Cassar had to put his finger tip to Costa’s rasping shot and turn the ball into a corner.

On the other end, Guobadia headed Agius’ corner over.

Karl Micallef replaced Fortunato in central defence as the Hotspurs went into  the second half in lively fashion. Gabriel reached forRodrigues’  low pass, but was blocked by the Balzan keeper. Costa’s shot from a promising position went slightly over. With Balzan struggling in midfield, Terence Agius made way for Luke Sciberras and later, Lydon Micallef also substituted the poor Grima. Pieta, scenting that they could get something from the match, sent in Kyle Cesare and Charles Newuche for the final 25 minutes.

But with Pieta pushing forward, they left gaps at the back and Balzan exploited these on 77 minutes. Pieta’s defender Grech kept three opponents onside as Kaljevic advanced and served substitute Lydon Micallef to slot the ball past the grounded keeper David Cassar.

With the points virtually secured, Bojan Kaljevic hit powerfully Balzan’s third goal on the stroke of full time to put some excessive gloss on his side’s win.

In the final analysis, this defeat was harsh on Pieta.