Balzan leave it till late to beat Qormi

Balzan moved to just five points behind leaders Valletta as they scored three in the final twenty-five minutes to beat Qormi 3-0 at the Hibernians Stadium. A win which enables Oliver Spiteri’s side to extend its positive run to fifteen matches.

For Qormi, this was the fifteenth consecutive defeat, remaining anchored at the bottom of the table with just five points.

Following a goalless first half, Balzan managed to break the deadlock on the 64th minute when Paul Fenech exchanged the ball with Lydon Micallef before the Malta international midfielder hit low past Andreas Vella from close range.

Balzan went close to doubling the lead on the 71st but attempts by Pedro Calcado and Lydon Micallef were cleared off the goal line by Ousmane Sidibe and Clifford Gauci respectively. However five minutes later, they were not to be denied when off a cross by Alan da Silva Souza, Aleksandar Vujacic headed home.

Four minutes from time, Balzan sealed the issue with a third goal when a Lydon Micallef effort was partially saved by the Qormi custodian but off the rebound, the same striker placed the ball at the back of the net.

QORMI Andreas Vella, Kurt Magro (76’ Joshua Barbara), Djamel Romano Leeflang Boestra, Alessio Cassar, Ousmane Sidibe, Noah Olawale Ojuola, Terrence Vella, Clifford Gauci, Go Nagaoka (76’ Pietro Viggiani), Iven Zammit (76’ Ryan Micallef), Yannick Yankam.
Subs not used: Jean Matthias Vella, Immy Micallef, Luke Farrugia, Clint Barbara.
Coach: Johann Scicluna

BALZAN Ivan Janjusevic, Justin Grioli (77’ Samir Arab), Paul Fenech, Steve Bezzina, Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Clive Brincat (62’ Alan da Silva Souza), Luke Sciberras (82′ Jamie Zerafa), Alexander Vujacic, Lydon Micallef, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Dylan Grima.
Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Maxim Fosca, Paul Lapira, Sean Cipriott.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Peter Abela
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace
Yellow Cards: Brincat, Grioli
Scorers: 64’ Paul Fenech, 76’ Alexander Vujacic, 86′ Lydon Micallef
BOV Player of the Match: Lydon Micallef
Attendance: 641

Renato Vella reporting from the Hibernians Stadium