A goal nine minutes from time enabled Qormi to rescue a point and deny Balzan a first win after seven matches as the two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Hibernians Stadium.

Balzan therefore stay in fifth place, one point ahead of Qormi. For Qormi, this was the fourth draw in five matches.

Qormi had the first attempt at goal after just three minutes wen Temile sent Effiong through but the latter’s attempt was saved at point blank by Steve Sultana.

On the 18th minute, Balzan ook the lead when off a Justin Grioli freekick, Oscar Guerrero hammered the ball in the net with a low shot.

One minute in the second half, Balzan were reduced to ten men after Samir Arab received a second yellow card for a foul on Effiong.

Qormi gained more confidence and Anderson Santos had a good attempt blocked on the 59th minute and off the rebound, his conclusion ended just wide. Five minutes later, Effiong sent Temile through and the latter rounded a defender before hitting high.

Mauricio Mazzetti was sent off for Qormi on 66 minutes after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Piccioni.

Substitute Ryan Micallef hit the woodwork on 75 minutes off a cross by Steve Agius but six minutes later, he was not to be denied as he fired the ball home with a powerful drive from outside the area to equalise following an assist by Agius.

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Bjorn Bondin (83’ Albert Bruce), Mauricio Matias Latini Mazzetti, Joseph Chetcuti (65’ Ryan Micallef), Alfred Effiong, Frank Temile, Emerson Vella (71’ Steve Agius), Zoran Levnaic, Duncan Pisani, Jonathan Bondin, Anderson Michele Quatrochi Santos.
Subs not used: Jurgen Cilia, Roderick Sammut, Carmelo Farrugia, Alessio Cassar.
Coach: Josef Mansueto

BALZAN Steve Sultana, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Edison David Bilbao Zarate, Samir Arab, Lydon Micallef (81’ Dylan Grima), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Oscar Dario Guerrero, Luke Sciberras, Giancarlo Piccioni
Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Clive Brincat, Michael Borg, Juan Corbolan, Sean Cipriott, Ryan Darmanin,
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Andre Arciola
Assistant Referees: Christopher Francalanza, Robert Vella
Additional Assistant Referees: Clayton Pisani, Philip Farrugia
Fourth Official: Ingmar Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Mazzetti, Guerrero, Arab, B. Bondin, Levnaic, Temile
Red Cards: 46’ Samir Arab 66’ Mauricio Mazzetti
Scorers: 18’ Oscar Dario Guerrero, 81′ Ryan Micallef
BOV Player of the Match: Frank Temile
Attendance at the Hibernians Stadium: 606

At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Pietà Hotspurs and Tarxien Rainbows shared the spoils in a goalless draw. A draw which suited neither side as both remain second from bottom in the table.

Clebinho had a rising shot blocked by David Cassar on 25 minutes and just past the hour, Claudio Frances tested Sean Mintoff with a shot from outside the area.

Alvaro Silva Branquinho almost surprised Cassar early in the second half but the ball finished just wide and on the 72nd minute, Terence Agius almost put Pietà ahead with a rising shot which ended just over the bar.

Ten minutes from time, Rafael Xavier was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a powerful shot from outside the area. Four minutes later, Jorge Santos Silva hit the upright for Tarxien.

PIETÀ Sean Mintoff, Kane Paul Farrugia, Manuel Caruana, Alvaro Andre Rodrigues Silva (90′ Luke Aquilina), Cleber Barbosa Viana, Triston Caruana, Ryan Sammut, Cleber Barbosa Viana, Triston Caruana, Ryan Sammut, Carlos Menendez Hevia, Alex Cini (65′ Jorge Santos Silva), Matthew Tabone, Alessandro Lopes Pereira.
Subs not used: Sean Cini, Steve Sadowski, Luke Zahra, Manuel Xerri, Silas Caruana, Jorge Santos Silva.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

TARXIEN David Cassar, Cain Attard, Christian Grech, Leonardo Fortunato dos Santos, Jurgen Pisani, Orosco Anonam, Terence Agius (90′ Dylon Agius), Luke Micallef (68′ Joao Gabriel da Silva), Claudio Frances, Rafael Xavier Zacarias, Rafael Rodrigues da Silva (72′ Kyle Cesare).
Subs not used: Miguel Montfort, Malcolm Licari, Dylon Agius, Kyle Cesare, Cleaven Cassar, Ayrton Mizzi.
Coach: Noel Coleiro

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Peter Abela
Additional Assistant Referees: Chris Lautier, Adrian Azzopardi
Fourth Official: Sammy Attard
Yellow Cards: Grech, Agius, Leo Fortunato, Jorge Santos
BOV Player of the Match: Carlos Menendez Hevia
Attendance: 354