Naxxar Lions 3
Balzan 4
(Aet; 90 Mins – 3-3)
Balzan looked home and dry when, with only four minutes remaining, they led Naxxar Lions 3-1 but the Division One high-fliers produced a late rally to score two fine goals and send this FA Trophy third-round tie into extra-time.
The Lions had given as much as they got for much of the 90 minutes but a bout of horrific defending in the opening stages of the second half appeared to have swung this tie in Balzan’s favour as the Reds hit two quick-fire goals to go 3-1 up.
But, the situation was reversed in the closing stages as it was Balzan who dropped their guard and the never-say-die Naxxar applied the pressure to claw back the deficit.
Daren Falzon’s sweetly-struck free-kick in stoppage time dented Balzan’s morale but Elton, one of their better performers yesterday, steadied their nerves when he won and converted a penalty in the opening minutes of extra-time.
Elton’s goal spared Balzan’s blushes as Ivan Zammit’s men dug in to preserve their slender lead and book their place in the last 16 of the cup.
Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho was conspicuous by his absence from Balzan’s 18-man squad. Zammit started with Elton as the team’s attacking spearhead in front of the roaming duo of Martin Deanov and Christian Caruana.
Nigerian Anthony Ewurum was employed at the tip of Naxxar’s 4-4-1-1 formation with Malta U-21 international Falzon lending support from behind.
A shot by Elton was deflected away for a corner but, 15 minutes into the game, the Brazilian fired Balzan ahead when he beat Naxxar goalkeeper Luke Pecorella with an exquisite lob after connecting with a long pass from Stefan Giglio.
Balzan appeared to be in control but they were jolted out of the comfort zone when, out of nothing, Naxxar won a penalty.
There seemed little danger when a long ball from midfield landed in the Balzan box but, as goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone came out, the persistent Ewurum nipped past Giglio who reacted by bringing down the Nigerian.
Referee Marco Borg pointed to the spot and cautioned Giglio before Brazilian Andre Rocha Da Silva drilled his penalty shot into the net to level matters.
Buoyed by their equaliser, the Lions grew in confidence and Tabone, the Balzan goalkeeper, blocked a long-range drive from Lydon Micallef.
After a promising start, Balzan struggled to impose themselves on the game as the resilient Naxxar stood their ground.
But, five minutes into the second half, Naxxar fell behind again when Doffo turned the ball into his own net via the post as he attempted to clear a Deanov cross.
Two minutes later, Balzan increased their lead when Caruana’s low cross from the right caught the Naxxar defence unawares as the ball rolled into the path of the unguarded Pace who fired into the net.
The concession of two quick goals knocked the fight out of Naxxar.
Things could have become worse for the Muscat’s team when a passing move by Balzan unhinged the shambolic Lions defence as Deanov released Elton but the Brazilian’s low strike was saved by Pecorella.
Slack defending by Balzan gave Naxxar a lifeline as Caruana hauled down substitute Ivanilson Serino Junior inside the box. Doffo advanced to take the penalty but the Argentine hit wide from the spot.
Despite being two goals down, Naxxar refused to give up and two minutes from time, the Lions pulled one back when Serino Junior’s angled drive had the better of Tabone.
There was a sting in the tail for Balzan as Naxxar snatched a stoppage-time equaliser thanks to Falzon who beat Tabone with an excellent free-kick.
The force was with Naxxar after their two-goal flourish but, three minutes from the start of extra-time, they conceded a penalty after goalkeeper Pecorella tripped Elton in the box. Balzan’s Brazilian striker made no mistake from the spot.
As Naxxar committed more men to attack, Balzan broke on the counter three minutes from time as Pace served Elton but the latter fired wide.
In the dying moments, Micallef missed a good chance to equalise for Naxxar when blasting over after Balzan had partially repelled a late Lions raid.
Naxxar: L. Pecorella, J. Vella, A. Buhagiar (74 G. Camilleri), M. Del Negro (46 I. Serino Junior), S. Eboh, V. Bellia, P. Doffo, A. Rocha Da Silva (84 K. Drago), L. Micallef, D. Falzon, A. Ewurum.
Balzan: F. Tabone, M. Licari (77 J. Francica), S. Giglio, Y. Camilleri, R. Conceicao, M. Mendy, J. Pace, B. Bondin, M. Deanov (73 D. Grima), C. Caruana (64 R. Forace), Elton.
Referee: Marco Borg.
Balzan needed extra-time to see off Naxxar Lions. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar