Last-gasp Micallef goal breaks Żejtun’s hearts

Żejtun Corinthians 1
Balzan Youths 2

This cup tie looked destined to reach extra-time but late substitute Lydon Micallef had other ideas as the Balzan Youths striker pounced on some hesitant Żejtun defending to round the goalkeeper and slot home a dramatic winner.

Żejtun were yet to lose a cup-tie in two years, having won back-to-back Division Two/Three KO competitions. So, expectations were high yesterday as their supporters turned up in numbers at the National Stadium, also backed by a brass band.

Balzan coach Ivan Zammit, no doubt unwilling to give Żejtun any further encouragement, fielded a very strong side with only Renie Forace dropping out as second choice goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone was handed his chance to shine.

Balzan have been the outstanding side in the Premier League’s opening stages but in the first few minutes their Division One opponents showed they were not there to make up the numbers as the Corinthians threatened to cause the competition’s first major upset.

On 13 minutes, Kalin Ganchev ran past his markers and into the box before passing to the unmarked Gers Delia who hit wide.

It needed something special to penetrate the Żejtun rearguard and Balzan obliged on 24 minutes.

Dylan Grima spotted a space and fed the ball to Miguel Ciantar on the right flank. His ensuing shot was saved by Ranier Farrugia but the former Hibernians keeper failed to hold and the loose ball rolled into the path of Pedro Calcado who put away the easiest of chances from a few metres out.

As the first half moved on, the attack-minded Żejtun started to pose serious problems to Balzan.

Two minutes from half-time, Tabone pulled off a stunning save to keep out Delia’s pile-driver and from the corner, the keeper completely missed the ball but Abela, unmarked in the box, headed wide.

However, Joey Falzon’s attacking play produced instant dividends for Żejtun after the break.

The game had just passed the 55th minute when Delia ran on to a pass by Nikolai Filipov and he beat keeper Tabone with a precise diagonal shot.

Balzan looked stunned but three minutes later, Calcado was agonisingly close to scoring again with a spectacular free-kick, but Farrugia finger-tipped it against the bar.

Żejtun held tight and luck was on their part seven minutes from time when Bjorn Bondin hit the post from outside the box after outmuscling Filipov.

But Żejtun were dealt a fatal blow right on the 90th minute.

Calcado’s ball found Micallef down the right. He outsprinted Farrugia before firing into an un-guarded net for Balzan’s winner.

Żejtun: R. Farrugia, E. Azzopardi, M. Borg, A. Farrugia, J. Abela, N. Filipov, K. Abela, K. Ganchev (L. Micallef), G. Delia, W. Elzaredi (R. Cauchi), C. Magro.

Balzan: F. Tabone, C. Ciantar (R. Forace), D. Fenech, Y. Camilleri, J. Francica, B. Guga, B. Bondin, D. Grima, P. Calcado, M. Ciantar (L. Micallef), F. Bernardes (S. Ciscaldi).

Referee: Andre Arciola.