Late Armario Negrin strike puts Balzan in sixth place

bov-premier-league-2013-2014A brace by new signing Demba Toure enabled Tarxien Rainbows to make a good comeback after going two goals down but a late goal by Jose Luis Armario Negrin enabled Balzan to register a 3-2 win to take home three precious points. Balzan, in fact, moved sixth, one point ahead of Naxxar Lions who however have a game in hand.

Tarxien, on the other hand, suffered the third defeat in four matches and remain third from bottom.

The game kicked-off under heavy rainfaill but the players and match officials had to abandon the pitch on the 3rd minute as the gale-force wind posed danger to the players and officials. The game resumed a few minutes later.

Balzan went close to taking the lead on the 19th minute with a Lydon Micallef effort from close range after receiving a cross from the right. Tarxien replied with a Jorge Santos Silva effort from outside the area ending just wide on the 24th. Four minutes later, Nicky Vella managed to deflect into a corner a shot by Pedro Calcado from inside the area.

However Balzan managed to take the lead on the 29th minute thanks to Jose Luis Armario Negrin who tapped the ball home from close range following a corner from the right.

Five minutes later, Balzan doubled the score thanks to a diagonal shot by Lydon Micallef which beat goalkeeper Nicky Vella following a cross from the right.

Demba Toure pulled one back two minutes in added time with a shot from close range which gave Manuel Bartolo no chance.

The first half was not over yet as Manuel Caruana was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a long-distance shot with the ball being deflected into a corner.

Tarxien equalised on the 66th when off a Jorge Santos Silva corner from the left, Demba Toure headed home past Manuel Bartolo.

Three minutes from time, Jose Luis Armario Negrin notched the winner for Balzan as he concluded a good move with a low shot which beat Nicky Vella.

BALZAN Manuel Bartolo, Andrew Scicluna, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina, Lucas Ramon dos Santos, Fabio Vignaroli (73′ Kurt Magro), Dylan Grima (79′ Ryan Darmanin), Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Lydon Micallef, Jose Luis Armario Negrin.
Subs not used: Michael Falzon, Godwin Mckay, Firas Aboulezz, Mark Spiteri, Juan Corbalan.
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

TARXIEN Nicky Vella, Carlo Mamo, Manuel Caruana (71′ Miguel Ciantar), Andrew Agius, Luca Martinelli (32′ William Barbosa), Demba Toure, Ryan Sammut, Carlos Menendez Hevia, Karl Pulo, Josef Mifsud, Jorge Santos Silva.
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Steve Sadowski, Fernando Lopes Alcantara, Nigel Vella, Steve Bonnici.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: Grima, Menendez, Mifsud, Bezzina, Scicluna
Scorers: 29′ Jose Luis Armario Negrin, 34′ Lydon Micallef, 45+2′ Demba Toure, 66′ Demba Toure, 87′ Jose Luis Armario Negrin.
BOV Player of the Match:
Attendance: 273