Grima’s goal lifts Balzan to fourth

Marsaxlokk 0
Balzan Youths 1
Grima 16

Balzan have served up a further notice of their intentions to secure a berth in the Championship Pool after beating Marsaxlokk with a solitary goal.

It had to be a moment of brilliance from former Valletta midfielder Dylan Grima that swayed the match in Balzan’s favour and from then on the Youths never looked back.

The result lifted Balzan to fourth place on 27 points, one ahead of Birkirkara and Sliema, albeit they have played a game less.

Without Bledjon Guga, Bjorn Bondin and Jonathan Francica all suspended, Ivan Zammit’s hopes of improving on a measly record against the so-called minnows rose slightly with Clifton Ciantar and Roderick Farrugia declared fit for the match.

Jamie Pace made his first appearance for the Youths as the arrival of the former midfielder had been heralded as one of the transfer coups of this transfer window with Balzan desperate for the kind of stamina and invention this playmaker would bring.

Pace was deployed in his favoured position as central midfielder alongside Nikola Tasic, with Martin Deanov and Grima out wide. He dominated the midfield in the opening exchanges but his evening soon turned into a nightmare as his debut lasted just 44 minutes before he limped off injured.

On the other hand, new Nigerian striker Peter Oladotun and former Floriana midfielder Jermain Brincat came into the Marsaxlokk side at the expense of Craig Debattista and Stephan Cutajar.

With Pace and Tasic dominant in the middle of the park in the opening exchanges it was the Youths who settled the quickest, with Pedrinho in the thick of action.

On 15 minutes, the Brazilian striker threatened from a free-kick but his shot finished just wide.

However Balzan were ahead a minute later and it was created by the excellent Grima at his best.

The nippy midfielder exposed Jonathan Xerri’s positional weakness down the Marsaxlokk left before he curled in a delicious shot past Cassar.

Six minutes from the break, the southseasiders finally began to construct some useful passing patterns and Nemanja Stoskovic squared the ball into the path of Gary Caruana who fired wide.

Just after the break, Eviparker could not turn in Deanov’s cross when he fired over from close range.

On the hour mark, substitute Fagner Bernardes should have doubled Balzan’s lead but his shot was blocked by defender Modesto Valeriani.

While there was a goal seperating the two sides, it was far from comfortable for Balzan and Stoskovic was guilty of not punishing them when he fired straight into Matthew Camilleri.

On 71 minutes, Stoskovic crossed from the left but Oladotun headed feebly into the hands of Camilleri.

Six minutes from time, Bernandes went on a dazzling run, only to be thwarted by a lunging blocked tackle by Valeriani on the penalty spot and then the Brazilian shot over with the goal at his mercy.

Balzan Youths: M. Camilleri-6, C. Ciantar-6, R. Farrugia-5.5, Y. Camilleri-6.5, R. Forace-6, M. Deanov-7 (83 L. Micallef), D. Grima-8, N. Tasic-7.5, J. Pace-5 (44 F. Bernardes-6), Pedrinho-5, A. Eviparker-5.5 (69 M. Ciantar-4).

Marsaxlokk: C. Cassar-6, M. Valeriani-6.5, T. Templeman-5.5, K. Polidano-6 (90 C. Debattista), J. Brincat-5 (66 G. Buttigieg-5), L. Agius-5 (74 D. Grech), P. Oladotun-4.5, J.P. Farrugia-5, G. Caruana-5, N. Stoskovic-6.5.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Polidano, Bernardes.

BOV Player of the match: Dylan Grima (Balzan Youths).

Attendances 728.