Balzan – Santa Lucia ends in a 1-1 draw

Balzan and Santa Lucia earned a point each in a 1-1 draw at the Hibernians Stadium on Tuesday. A draw which puts Santa Lucia on level points with Gzira United in sixth place while Balzan are now fifth from bottom.

Oliver Spiteri’s side had an edge over their opponents throughout the ninety minutes and although they failed to make it four wins in a row, they still managed to earn a fourth consecutive positive result.

On the other hand, Balzan have now gone ten matches without a win.

Balzan managed to take the lead on the 29th minute when off a Steve Pisani freekick from he left, Michael Johnson headed the ball home past goalkeeper Christopher Farrugia.

However Santa Lucia equalised three minutes later. A fine Alan da Silva Souza effort was tipped into a corner by goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes and off the resulting corner by Rei Tachikawa from the right, Kevin Correia headed home past the Balzan goalkeeper. 

Deep into stoppage time, Santa Lucia were reduced to ten men after Michael Camilleri was shown two yellow cards following an argument with Steve Pisani.

BALZAN Vukasin Vranes, Augustine Loof, Samir Arab , Paul Fenech, Steve Pisani, Michael Johnson (52’ Gary Camilleri), Alfred Effiong (77’ Eric McWoods), Uros Ljubomirac, Stefan Dimic (78’ Weverton Gomes), Sean Cipriott (66’ Marcus Grima), Moussa Kamara.
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Steve Bezzina, Zak Grech.
Coach: Mark Miller

SANTA LUCIA Christopher Farrugia, Timothy Tabone Desira, Andre Prates Rodrigues, Kevin Correia, Adam Magri Overend (59’ Glaucio de Araujo), Alan da Silva Souza (86’ Michael Camilleri), Kevin Ante Rosero, Victor Luiz Filho, Jamie Zerafa, Rei Tachikawa, Kieran Xuereb. 
Subs not used: Clyde Aquilina, Jacques Vella Critien, Liam Mckay, Andreas Vella, Brady Agius.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri 

Referee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, James Muscat
Fourth Official;: Stefan Pace
Yellow Cards: Arab, Pisani, Camilleri
Red Cards: 98’ Michael Camilleri
BOV Player of the Match: Alan da Silva Souza