Balzan Youths end Marsaxlokk's perfect run

Marsaxlokk 1
Balzan Youths 1

Newly-promoted Balzan Youths put up another gallant display as they ended promotion favourites Marsaxlokk's perfect run after holding them to a 1-1 draw. These were the first points dropped by Marsaxlokk after four consecutive wins.

The match was a balanced one with Marsaxlokk only putting some pressure on their opponents in the final moments of the game when they pushed everything forward in search of a winner. But Balzan goalkeeper Frederick Tabone capped a fine display with some magnificent saves to help his side earn a point.

The match had a quite start with Marsaxlokk seeing more of the ball. Balzan on their side played an intelligent match with the experienced Ivan Zammit controlling things at the back. Play was mainly concentrated in midfield where the likes of Raimy, Peter Pullicino and Roderick Bajada found a hard nut to crack in Sciortino, Agius and Forace.

Balzan took the lead on 22 minutes when a Peter Anizoba cross from the right was misjudged by Clive Brincat and Simon Shead nipped in to lob past Zammit.

Balzan's joy was shortlived as less than a minute later Marsaxlokk were back on level terms. Peter Pullicino's darting run down the right flank was finished with a great shot that was brilliantly saved by Tabone, but Dylan Kokavessis fired home the rebound.

Before the end of the first half William Camenzuli had a free-kick that finished just over the crossbar.

On resumption Balzan custodian Tabone denied the southerners with a brilliant save off a Carlo Mamo first-time effort. Both sides continued to fight every inch of the way, but as time went by they were rarely dangerous.

Thirteen minutes from the end, Marsaxlokk had a good opportunity when from a Martin Deanov corner, Brincat failed to head home after the Balzan goalkeeper misjudged the cross. A minute later, Deanov again tested Tabone from an acute angle.

Five minutes from time, Balzan goalkeeper Tabone showed his mettle when he blocked with his feet a powerful effort by Camenzuli.

A minute later, with Marsaxlokk inclined to venture forward and score the winner, they had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Esther Azzopardi when from a melee Peter Pullicino looked to have been impeded.

Tabone's best save of the game came a minute from time when he dived to block a shot by Brincat.

Marsaxlokk: G. Zammit, W. Camenzuli, C. Mamo, E. Yanchev, C. Brincat, F. Raimy, R. Bajada, P. Pullicino, D. Kokavessis (M. Danilovs), M. Deanov, M. Licari (L. Grech).

Balzan: F. Tabone, D. Agius, J. Francica, C. Micallef, I. Zammit (G. Tanti), S. Aquilina, M. Sciortino, A. Agius (D. Fenech), P. Anizoba, S. Shead (M. Onuorah), R. Forace.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Man of the Match: Frederick Tabone (Balzan Youths).