Balzan thrash Saints to seal promotion

Msida St Joseph 0
Balzan Youths 5

As expected, leaders Balzan Youths cruised past the already-doomed Msida to secure promotion to the Premier League.

This win means that Youths can’t be overhauled by the team that eventually finishes fourth as they are 12 points ahead of Melita, currently third, who have yet to meet the Mosta, who are joint-second with Mqabba, in their remaining four matches.

Despite missing Renato Conceicao and Steve Meilak, Balzan were too strong for the Saints. They took an early lead thanks to Pedro Calcado’s stunning free-kick which left goalkeeper Simon Firth helpless.

Balzan added a second on 16 minutes when Calcado received a pass from the back, chipped the goalkeeper and slid the ball home.

Uchanna Anywanna had a good opportunity for Balzan when his close-range effort looked destined to hit the back of the net but the Msida keeper did well to keep out the Nigerian’s effort.

However, Balzan practically made sure of the points before the break when young Msida keeper Firth fumbled Calcado’s free-kick.

The second half was dull with Balzan releasing their foot off the pedal even though Bjorn Bondin and Anywanna went close. Msida were unlucky when a Miguel Grech header slammed against the Balzan crossbar.

On 78 minutes, Firth floored Aaron Agius and a penalty was given. Calcado made it 4-0 .

Balzan scored a fifth five minutes from time following a move involving several players. Lyden Micallef rounded the goalkeeper to slot the ball into an empty net.

Msida: S. Firth, J. Mifsud, L. Micallef, J. Brincat, M. Borda, M. Grech (D. Hili), M. Harper, P. Sakchai, L. Cassar, R. Xuereb (L. Micallef), G. Refalo (C. Cutajar).

Balzan: B. Bonello, C. Ciantar (M. Buttigieg), D. Agius, C. Micallef, J. Francica (L. Micallef), B. Bondin, D. Grima (S. Ciscaldi), A. Agius, P. Calado, D. Fenech, U. Anywanna.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

Man of the match: Pedro Calcado (Balzan Youths).

Mosta denied

St George’s 1
Mosta 1

This drawn result suited neither St George’s nor Mosta as the chase for promotion is getting even hotter.

Mosta, who leapfrogged Mqabba into second place in the standings on goal difference, were unlucky not to beat the Saints at the Tedesco Stadium yesterday as the Blues were denied three times by the woodwork.

St George’s had Emmanuel Sevasta missing and suffered another setback when the reliable Glenn Bonello sustained an injury and had to be replaced.

Mosta started on the offensive. Nikola Bogdanovic beat two defenders but was thwarted by Thomas Galea in the Saints goal.

A William Camenzuli free-kick fell into the path of Bogdanovic who hit high from a good position.

On 30 minutes, the Saints produced their first effort on goal, Milutinovic heading just wide from a free-kick.

Six minutes later, Mark Briggs released Simon Shead whose first-time effort was stopped by Galea.

Mosta, however, deservedly forged ahead four minutes later when Briggs hit home from a free-kick.

Before half-time, another Briggs free-kick was saved by Galea and Gilbert Martin’s fierce drive smashed against the bar.

The Saints levelled matters three minutes after the restart.

Kenneth Spiteri and goalkeeper Jonathan Debono failed to clear the ball and Dylan Zarb dashed in to score the equaliser.

Mosta were clearly shocked but they soon regained the initiative and started piling the pressure on the Saints’ defence.

On one occasion, a Camenzuli grounder hit the foot of the post and on 72 minutes, Mosta were again left to rue their luck as Ryan Deguara’s shot beat Galea but the ball came off the upright.

Shead was through late on but was foiled by goalkeeper Galea who was again on hand at the death to keep out a Lee Grima piledriver.

St George’s: T. Galea, A. Bonello (E. Amaira), D. Zammit, M. Milutinovic, N. Caruana (R. Sell), L. Agius, D. Zarb, B. Fenech, M. Barbara, L.J. Ruiz, G. Bonello (J. Dalli).

Mosta: J. Debono, K. Farrugia, V. Osobu (R. Deguara), M. Briggs, G. Martin, A. Cini, A. Borg, N. Bogdanovic, K. Spiteri, W. Camenzuli (L. Grima), S. Shead.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Mark Briggs (Mosta).