BALZAN FC-PEMBROKE ATHLETA 5-1

Balzan FC: C. Cassar, D. Grima, L. Micallef, E. Zarate (R. Fenech), S. Arab, M. Focsa, G. Mensha, A. Effiong (R. Darmanin), E. Serrano (L. Sciberras), T. Agius, J. Grioli

Pembroke: M. Muscat, A. Martz, P. Barbetti, K. O’Brien (L. Micallef), A. Laudisi (S. Arab), O. Bugeja, P.P. Sammut (G. Bardsley), L. Cutajar, J. Togbah, M. Attard, Z. Levnaic

Referee: C. Pisani

Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, M. Borg

4th official: S. Spiteri

Scorers: J. Togbah 11, A. Effiong 43, L. Micallef 45+, J. Grioli 50, G. Mensha 56, R. Darmanin 78

Yellow cards: T. Agius, S. Arab, Z. Levnaic, P. Barbetti

Player of the match: A. Effiong (Balzan)

TMI top 3: 1. D. Grima  2. G. Mensha  3. K. O’Brien

SILVIO VELLA

Balzan, still riding on the wave of admiration after their win over Valletta on Saturday, demonstrated once again that they are determined to cling tenaciously to their unbeaten record.

Although never at their most fluent yesterday,they recovered from a sluggish start and a goal down to beat Pembroke with plenty to spare and take top spot in the standings, at least until Hibernians play today.

Balzan had to endure some early anxious moments, falling behind after only 11 minutes, and going through close shaves as Pembroke spurned several opportunities to incrtease their lead. It was only towards the end of the first half that they rediscovered some verve to score twice before halftime and three more after the interval.

Defending remains Pembroke achilles’ heel as they were breached too easily at the back. This third successive defeat sees them slide down the Premier League standings after a bright start.

 James Togbah was making his first appearance for Pembroke in this campaign, one of four changes effected in the team by coach Winston Muscat for this match. The USA born forward could not have made a better debut. Short of the quarter hour, he controlled a high ball just outside the crowded Balzan area and let fly a left-foot shot at the top corner that left keeper Cassar completely helpless.

Balzan, who had Christian Cassar deputising for Senatore in  goal and Dylan Grima starting instead of Luke Sciberras , were bereft of the injured defender Steve Bezzina. They  had not even settled in the game when Martz had another effort going narrowly wide.

Balzan were lethargic, lacking bite or purpose in the opening half and Pembroke seemed well in contention in a somewhat bizarre game.

Pembroke also preferred Mario Muscat to Matthew Farrugia in goal. On 20 minutes, Effiong came face to face with the veteran goalkeeper as he ran inside the Pembroke area but shot straight on Muscat’s outstretched body.

The newcomers could have added further goals but the lively Togbah failed to dribble keeper Cassar as he went inside the area on an erratic Balzan back pass. On 37 minutes Togbah darted inside the Balzan area but failed to connect on Cutajar’s through ball. Martz fluffed another good opportunity with his low drive missing narrowly the target on Sammut’s inviting pass.

Pembroke were made to pay for all their profligacy. Within three minutes before the break, Balzan turned the table over their opponents, scoring twice in quick succession. Zarate played a through ball fror Alfred Effiong to hit past keeper Muscat on 43 minutes and after one minute of added time, Pembroke wilted under the pressure of a Grima corner from the left, for Lydon Micallef to drag the ball over the line.

The second half was on ly five minutes old when Balzan scored their third. Grioli was fouled just outside of the Pembroke area. He directed the resultant direct free kick past keeper Muscat.

Balzan secured the points on 56 minutes. Effiong put Godwin Mensha clear, the ball rebounded off the onrushing keeper Muscat and trickled into an unattended goal.

Balzan added some excessive gloss 12 minutes from time. Substitute Ryan Darmanin, who had gone in for Effiong, was put clear by Mensha, to beat the grounded Muscat with  a low drive as Pembroke sunk without trace.

Ryan Fenech also made his first league appearance for Balzan, going in as a substitute, with eight minutes remaining.

BIRKIRKARA-  1

MOSTA-          1

Birkirkara: J. Haber, Z. Muscat, M. Mazzetti, N. Vukanac (E. Marcelina), E. Herrera, R. Camenzuli, P. Fenech, R. Muscat, F. Temile, E. Liliu (F. Miccoli), V. Plut

Mosta: Y. Cini, T. Farrugia, M. Micallef (B. Fredrick), O. Guobadia, R. Grech (D. Falzon), H. Yau, S. Chukwide (J. Brincat), R. Ekani, I. Zammit, E. Murga, S. Fidelis

Referee: G. Tonna

Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, L. Portelli

4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: V. Plut 25

Yellow cards: S. Chukwide, M. Mazzetti, H. Yau, I. Zammit

Red card: M. Mazzetti

Player of the match: V. Plut (Birkirkara)

TMI top 3: 1. V. Plut  2. O. Guobadia  3. P. Fenech

SILVIO VELLA

Birkirkara player Edin Murga, on loan with Mosta this season, salvaged a point for his team with a late equaliser in a frantic finish to a rather scrappy match.

Utterly profligate in attack, Birkirkara were more dynamic of two teams low on precision and looked capable of holding to their first half advantage but were foiled by Mosta’s late leveller.

Despite the industry of Yau, Micallef and Grech in midfield, Mosta produced precious little in terms of creativity but showed determination and fighting spirit and were finally rewarded with a point that keeps them in close second.

Both side exhibited wastefulness in the final third, with Liliu and Fidelis lacking the usual sharpness in front of goal for Birkirkara and Mosta respectively.

Birkirkara made two changes from the side that beat Pembroke on Saturday, giving starts to Rowen Muscat and Frank Temile, dropping Emerson Marcelina and Fabrizio Miccoli to the bench.Temile played behind forwards Vito Plut and Liliu as coach Giovanni Tedesco ensured that his side carried plenty of threat.

Following their first league defeat thre days earlier, Mosta wanted to bounce back as  coach Ivan Zammit gave starts to Yenz Cini in goal, Ryan Grech in midfield and Ian Zammit in attack. They showed character and an attacking intent, with the pacy runs of Fidelis proving a constant menace to the Stripes’ rearguard.

In fact, the opening minutes were played at a rather hectic pace, with both sides trying to make an early breakthrough.

That came from Birkirkara midway through the half. Liliu sent a low cross from the byeline on the right and Vito Plut flicked the ball past keeper Cini.

Mosta immediate response came from a freekick. Keeper Haber dropped the high ball, and Chukwide’s effort on the rebound was blocked by the Birkirkara defenders and goalkeeper.

After that, the match lost much of its early intensity as Birkirkara  settled well for the remainder of the half and Mosta looked unnerved by the goal conceded.

The start of the second half was characterised by glaring misses at both ends. Fidelis, running unhindered towards the Birkirkara goal, shot horrendously over and then Liliu incredibly missed the target when presented with a pass from Plut and a gaping goal at his mercy.

Liliu continued to miss more chances. Towards the hour, his glancing header, on a Plut cross, went wide.

Mosta almost drew level on 68 minutes. Micallef played the ball from the left and Fidelis steered it just wide.

Birkirkara had to withdraw Vukanac for the last 20 minutes as the central defender suffered some muscle strain. Marcelina replaced him at the back.

Mosta were becoming increasingly erratic with their passing. On 78 minutes Ekani carelessly lost possession. Liliu tried to capitalise but was thwarted by keeper Cini’s timely sortie.

Mosta introduced Bobby Fredrick and Dyson Falzon for the final ten minutes in Ivan Zammit’s double substitution and Fabrizio Miccoli also made a late appearance for Birkirkara.

And when the Stripes looked capable of holding to their narrow win, Edin Murga found space, took the ball in his stride and beat keeper Haber with a well placed shot at the far corner.

Birkirkara not only dropped two poinst at the end, but also had central defender Mazzetti sent off for hitting Mosta’s Guobadia in a tense finale.