Leaders Balzan beaten

Melita 1
Balzan Youths 0

A Simon Galea goal just before the break stunned leaders Balzan Youths as Melita handed them their first defeat of the season. This was a surprise result but on the pitch the Amateurs were worthy winners as they sounded a major warning to all other Division One sides that they are capable of beating anyone on their day.

The game was a balanced affair but, again, Martin Gregory’s boys showed that they always try to play the game as it should be, one-touch, on the ground and attacking football.

The game was physical, at times, with referee Kevin Azzopardi having to send off three players as tempers frayed after the changeover.

There was nothing to separate both teams in the first 45 minutes with Balzan finding the going tough even though Melita had the stylish Julian Galea missing. At least, Gregory could rely on newcomer Emilio Cornago San Pedro, a versatile player who showed some neat touches.

So balanced was the game that chances were few and far in between and the first goalmouth action came on 23 minutes when David Fenech had his shot saved by Melita’s Karl Zahra.

Four minutes later Calcado found Uchanna Anywanna, back for Balzan after a long lay-off, but the Nigerian skied the ball after beating his direct marker.

Melita were dangerous on 30 minutes but George Gribbon’s attempt at goal was cleared off the line by Ivan Zammit. Balzan hit back with a Steve Meilak shot that was stopped by Zahra.

Six minutes before the break Melita scored what proved to be the winning goal. A Galea free-kick left everyone stranded, including the Balzan keeper, with the ball hitting the back of the net.

Balzan made three substitutions at the start of the second half and immediately went close when a Calcado effort was saved with difficulty by Zahra.

But Balzan suffered a setback on 51 minutes when substitutes, Renie Forace, was sent off for a vicious foul on Matthew Borg. Thirteen minutes later, numerical parity was restored when Galea marred his day with a second booking.

Nine minutes from time Calcado found Anywanna but the striker hit badly from a good position.

That was Calcado’s last contribution to the team as a minute later he was also dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Despite the handicap, Balzan missed a golden opportunity late on when Lyden Micallef failed to score after he was left completely free in the Melita box.

Melita: K. Zahra, R. Alinho, L. Martinelli, G. Gribbon, M. Fenech (M. Cachia), M. Borg, N. Rizzo (T. Naudi), N. Baldacchino (A. Muscat), S. Galea, E. Cornago San Pedro, L. Micallef.

Balzan: F. Tabone, D. Agius (C. Ciantar), I. Zammit, M. Buttigieg (L. Micallef), U. Anywanna, J. Francica, D. Fenech, S. Ciscaldi (R. Forace), D. Grima, P. Dos Santos Calcado, S. Meilak.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Man of the match: George Gribbon (Melita).