Balzan and San Ġwann share spoils

San Ġwann 0
Balzan Youths 0

Balzan Youths and San Ġwann shared the spoils in a drab encounter yesterday.

Neither side will be satisfied with the final stalemate as both teams needed a victory for different reasons, Balzan to keep

up their push for promotion while San Ġwann are looking to move away from the bottom places.

The game was evenly-balanced with the Youths showing the better play in the first half while San Ġwann were an improved lot after the interval.

In the first 45 minutes the game was played at a very slow pace with Balzan showing the better ideas. San Ġwann, on their part, controlled well but upfront they weren't as lethal as in the game against Marsaxlokk were they scored four goals.

The best chance early on came when after a few minutes Peter Anizoba came face to face with Justin Spiteri but the Nigerian shot straight into the hands of the San Ġwann goalkeeper, who was returning after a one match suspension.

On the half hour it was Bondin who also lost a good opportunity by hitting wide even though from an acute angle.

Just before the break Anizoba back-heeled a good ball for David Fenech who from the edge of the area hit just over the bar

On resumption San Gwann were a different proposition and after they had a Jonathan Francica goal disallowed, they came close when Ryan Sell went through and came face to face with goalkeeper Tabone who produced a magnificent save.

San Ġwann looked more composed and hungry for the points and on 58 minutes a Hili free-kick finished just over.

After this great opportunity the game died down with both sides looking more concentrated on not conceding a goal than scoring one.

Nine minutes from time, San Ġwann came close to snatch a late winner when Leeroy Bonnet's drive from an acute angle hit the side-netting.

San Ġwann: J. Spiteri, R. Sammut, M. Caruana, M. Francica, L. Cumbo, A. Borg, J. Zammit (F. Aboulezz), S.Pisani, L. Bonnet, S. Hili, R. Sell.

Balzan: F. Tabone, R. Farrugia, D. Agius, C. Micallef, R. Forace, B. Bondin (D. Cassar), S. Aquilina, M. Onourah (M. Sciortino), A. Agius (D. Carabott), D. Fenech, P. Anizoba.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Man of the match: Ryan Sell (San Ġwann).

David Carabott

Yesterday's match was the last one for David Carabott with the colours of Balzan Youths.

The former Malta international, who had also spells with Hibernians and Valletta, will finish the 2009-10 season with Marsaxlokk FC after the 40-year-old agreed terms with his hometown club.