Leaders Hibernians returned to winning ways as a goal one minute from the end of the first half gave them a narrow win over Balzan at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
The Paolites therefore made sure of staying alone on top the BOV Premier League table.
Balzan were a depleted side due to the absence of Dani Miguelez Martinez, Michael Falzon, Justin Grioli, Firas Aboulezz, Mark Spiteri and Aaron Agius. Hibernians, on the other hand, were in full strength apart from injured reserve goalkeeper Jurgen Borg.
The Paolites scored the all-important goal on the 44th minute thanks to Bjorn Kristensen who headed the ball home off a Clayton Failla corner.
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HIBS Mario Muscat, Jonathan Pearson, Rodolfo Soares (49′ Ryan Camilleri), Marcelo Dias (68′ Matthew Bartolo), Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Zoran Levnajic, Edison Luis dos Santos (81′ Obinna Obiefule), Jean Paul Farrugia.
Subs not used: Daniel Balzan, Matthew Tabone, Ryan Camilleri, Scott Chircop, Ayrton Azzopardi.
Coach: Branko NisevicBALZAN Jacob Cipriott, Steve Bezzina, Gianluca Calabretta, Andrew Scicluna, Dylan Grima, Fabio Vignaroli, Luke Sciberras, Joselito dos Reis Santos (80′ Jose Luis Armario Negrin), Erjon Beu (76′ Godwin Mckay), Lydon Micallef, Ryan Darmanin.
Subs not used: Ryan Micallef, Charlie Fuller, Shaun Bugeja, Michael Borg, Gianfranco Micallef.
Coach: Jesmond ZerafaReferee: Andre Arciola
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Ingmar Spiteri
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant
Yellow Cards: Lima, Grima, Scicluna
Scorers: 44′ Bjorn Kristensen
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
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At the Centenary Stadium, Qormi and Rabat Ajax earned a point each as they shared the spoils in a goalless draw.
A draw which keeps the two teams four points apart with Qormi now lying on the eight-point mark and Rabat still at the bottom of the table with four points.
Rabat were unable to field their best formation due to the absence of goalkeeper Pavle Velimirovic, Joseph Caruana and Ryan Micallef. Qormi, on the other hand, lacked Jorge Pereira da Silva.
Gianluca Nucera, served by Roderick Bajada, had a fine shot from outside the area ending just wide on the 15th. Rabat replied with a good pass by Diego Carrillo for Moises Avila Perez who controlled bu this close range shot was parried by Matthew Farrugia. In a counter-attack for Qormi, Riccardo Innocenti had the opportunity to put Qormi ahead but with the goalkeeper rushing to the edge of the area, the Italian striker hit incredibly high.
Seventeen minutes in the second half, Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia managed to turn into a corner a Moises Avila Perez effort. From the resulting corner by Dani Pelaez, A cross shot from the right by Jonathan Bajada from the right was palmed out by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia on 73 minutes. Five minutes later, a Triston Caruana volley ended just wide for Qormi.
Rabat threatened once again on 81 minutes with a close-range effort by Adam Smeir, off a Diego Carrillo freekick from the left, cleared into safety by a defender off the goal line. One minute later, Rabat goalkeeper Jonathan Azzopardi performed a great save at point blank on Alfred Effiong. On the 84th, Adam Smeir concluded just wide off an inviting cross from the right by Malcolm Licari.
QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Alfred Effiong, Roderick Sammut, Giuseppe Bellucci, Roderick Bajada (82′ Luigi del Giudice), Christian Terribile (50′ Leighton Grech), Triston Caruana, Gianluca Nucera (68′ Duncan Pisani), Owen Bugeja, Jonathan Bondin, Riccardo Innocenti.
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Clint Barbara, Emerson Vella, Dylan Pirotta.
Coach: Tommaso VolpiRABAT Jonathan Azzopardi, Shaun Gauci, David Azzopardi, Ivan Carapic, Dylan Falzon, Clifford Gauci, Jonathan Bajada (74′ Malcolm Licari), Daniel Pelaez Bellido, Moises Avila Perez, Diego Carrillo Pendas, Adam Smeir (90′ Zachary Tanti).
Subs not used: Andrew Muscat, Patrick Borg, Chris Vella, Aidan Azzopardi, Darren Borg.
Coach: Steve D’AmatoReferee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri
Yellow Cards: C. Gauci, J. Bondin, D. Azzopardi, S. Gauci
Red Cards: 90′ Shaun Gauci
BOV Player of the Match: Diego Carrillo