Balzan, Birkirkara share spoils in draw

Balzan and Birkirkara ended their league commitments with a 1-1 draw at the National Stadium as both sides are now fully focussed on FA Trophy semi-finals in programme next week.

A draw which leaves the Stripes in third place, three points ahead of Balzan.

Balzan managed to take the lead on the 79th minute thanks to an own goal by Cain Attard who headed the ball past goalkeeper Miroslav Kopric following a cross from the right by Lydon Micallef.

Two minutes later, Birkirkara equalised when off a throw in from the right and the ball was headed down for substitute Ryan Camenzuli to slot past goalkeeper Christian Cassar.

BALZAN Christian Cassar, Bojan Kaljevic (71′ Alan da Silva Souza), Maxim Focsa, Steve Bezzina, Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Sean Cipriott, Alfred Effiong (64′ Aleksandar Vujacic), Luke Sciberras (77′ Jamie Zerafa), Lydon Micallef, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Dylan Grima.
Subs not used: Ivan Janjusevic, Justin Grioli, Clive Brincat, Ryan Fenech.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

B’KARA Miroslav Kopric, Cain Attard, Mauricio Mazzetti, Christian Bubalovic, Goran Mujanovic, Mislav Andelkovic (73′ Ryan Darmanin), Edison David Bilbao Zarate, Gareth Sciberras, Kurt Zammit (61′ Ryan Camenzuli), Matthew Guilluamier, Vito Plut.
Subs not used: Ini Etim Akpan, Edmond Agius, Joseph Zerafa, Edward Herrera, Clint Zammit.
Coach: Drazen Besek

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Chris Francalanza
Additional Assistant Referees: Fyodor Zammit, Sandro Spiteri
Fourth Official: Thomas Debono
Yellow Cards: Grima, Mujanovic
Scorers: 79′ own goal Cain Attard, 81′ Ryan Camenzuli
BOV Player of the Match: Vito Plut
Attendance at the National Stadium: 778

On the other hand, Tarxien Rainbows defeated Floriana 3-2 at the Hibernians Stadium.

The Rainbows managed to take the lead on the 15th minute when Alex Nilsson stole the ball off Clyde Borg and beat Floriana goalkeeper Matthew Grech.

Five minutes later, the Greens were unlucky to hit the crossbar with a Mario Fontanella effort. Then towards the end of the first half, Tarxien goalkeeper Andrea Cassar performed a number of fine saves which ensured they enjoyed a narrow lead at half-time.

Tarxien doubled the score on the 61th minute thanks to a great effort by Claudio Frances whose curling shot from a distance ended at the back of the net behind Matthew Grech.

Two minutes later, Nicholas Chiesa served Mario Fontanella who lobbed the ball over the Tarxien goalkeeper to reduce the gap.

Floriana equalised on the 69th thanks to Clyde Borg who received the ball off a Juninho Cabral freekick and beat Cassar.

However Tarxien regained the lead on the 75th minute thanks to Luke Montebello whose low shot beat the Floriana custodian.

FLORIANA Matthew Grech, Andre Scicluna (81’ Jake Davies), Antonio Monticelli, Enrico Pepe, Steve Bonnici, Clyde Borg, Mauricio Villa (56’ Juninho Cabral), Emanuel Briffa (77’ Darell Baldacchino), Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fontanella, Matteo Piciollo.
Subs not used: Matthew Calleja Cemona, Luca Gatt, Daniel Agius, Steve Pisani.
Coach: Luis Oliveira

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Ebiabowei Baker, Timothy Tabone Desira, Triston Caruana, Brandon Muscat (71’ John Mintoff), Alex Nilsson (18’ Bruno Giglio de Oliveira), Ayrton Azzopardi, Luke Montebello, Sergio Fernandez Prendes, Matthew Tabone, Claudio Frances (82’ Daniel Zerafa).
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Manuel Caruana, Roderick Bajada, Ryan Spiteri.
Coach: Jacques Scerri

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Peter Abela
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna
Yellow cards: Tabone Desira, Prendes, Montebello
Scorers: 15’ Alex Nilsson, 61’ Claudio Frances, 63’ Mario Fontanella, 69’ Clyde Borg, 75’ Luke Montebello
BOV Player of the Match: Andrea Cassar
Attendance at the Hibernians Stadium: 338

Renato Vella reporting from the Hibernians Stadium

One comment

  1. Loghba kumbattuta, kif drajna bejn dawn iz zewg timijiet (ma ninsewx li dan huwa derby u l fatt li hal balzan stabbilixxew ruhom fl ghola postijiet tal kampjonat ir rivalita’ kompliet tizdied).

    Kuragg Yellows ghat trophy!!

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