Balzan 6
Xewkija T 1
Balzan: S. Mintoff, A. Kosoric, N. Sljivic (D. Camilleri 69’), S. Pisani, S. Bezzina, A. Effiong (S. Cipriott 60’), I. Bozovic (J. Grioli 65’), E. Serrano Valero, R. Correa Duarte, A. Majdevac, M. Lepovic
Xewkija T: M. Grima, M. Tabone, S. Martinez Villa, D. Krstic, C. Antunes, D. Stojanovic, S. Bajada, M. Stojanovic (C. Bugeja 70’), M. Xerri (R. Buttigieg 63’), T. Barbosa (G. Hili 70’), D. Bogdanovic.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Ass. Referees: Roberto Vella, Duncan Spencer
Scroers: D. Bogdanovic 16’, R. Correa Duarte 30’, 58’, 75’, A. Kosoric 35’, A. Majdevac 38’, S. Pisani 66’
Yellow cards: A. Kosoric, I. Bozovic.
Balzan easily advanced to the quarter final stages of the FA Trophy demolishing Xewkija Tigers 6-1. But it was not that easy at the start especially after Daniel Bognadovic had put the Gozitans in front with a majestic freekick.
But Balzan slowly recovered and scored three goals in the space of eight minutes to practically settle the issue. Correa Duarte was outstanding with his runs on the left and his finishing in front of goal where he scored half of his side’s tally.
Alfred Effiong was also effective especially in the first half, but missed a glorious chance on the resumption.
The match was very balanced in the opening stages with Xewkija covering all spaces at the back, making it very difficult for Balzan to penetrate. On 12 minutes Lepovic and Correa had a good move with the latter’s shot hitting the side netting.
On 16 minutes Xewkija Tigers surprisingly took the lead when veteran Daniel Bogdanovic scored a great goal direct from a freekick. Balzan were in a state of shock and Xewkija almost doubled on 19 minutes but Darko Stojanovic’s effort sailed over the bar.
On the half hour Balzan drew level when Alfred Effiong beat the offside trap receiving a good ball from Lepovic, and passed towards Majdevac who left the ball to Correa who fired home from an ideal position.
Xewkija were now in difficulkty as Balzan grew in confidence going ahead five minutes later when from a corner action, goalkeeper Grima mistimed his sortie and Kosoric slotted home from close range.
Another three minutes and Balzan added another goal when Lepovic again passed towards Effiong who all alone in front of goal opted to pass towards Majdevac who made no mistake with an open goal at his mercy.
Xewkija surged forward at the start of the second half and had a couple of efforts through Antunes and Krstic both missing the target. Lepovic on the other end had an effort going wide. On 52 minutes a Krstic effort beat Mintoff but the ball just missed the target.
On 55 minutes Alfred Effiong missed a sitter when he failed to hit home from two meters following a good Correa run on the left. Three minutes later Balzan made it four when Bozovic powered forward and passed towards Majdevac whose cross was met by Correa who made no mistake in front of goal.
The match was now dead and buried and on 66 minutes Steve Pisani scored his first goal with the Balzan jersey when he fired home following another good run by Correa on the left. Fifteen minutes from time the rout was complete when Correa obtained his hat trick anticipating Grima and lobbing the ball home.