[attach id=236756 size="medium"]Qormi’s Matthew Gauci in an aerial challenge with Balzan striker Elton. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar[/attach]
Balzan 0
Qormi 1
Giglio 12 og;
Qormi are through to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy for the second successive season after battling past Balzan in a tight encounter.
The Yellow-Blacks produced a business-like display. After going ahead early in the game, they opted for a prudent approach to protect their lead while breaking forward with long balls aimed at their attacking duo of Alfred Effiong and Moises Avila Perez who kept the pressure off their defence with their continuous incursions.
However, their failure to deliver the coup de grace left the result in the balance until the final whistle.
In the end, Qormi did enough to hold out for the win that keeps their cup dream alive while, on the other hand, Balzan will surely be disappointed with their performance as they looked short of flair up front despite the return of several key players.
Jesmond Zerafa, the Qormi coach, effected three changes from the team that beat Melita in their last league outing as Matthew Farrugia was restored in goal ahead of Steve Sultana while midfielder Jonathan Bondin and striker Effiong were also back in the frame at the expense of Luke Sciberras and Joseph Chetcuti.
Balzan, on their part, were boosted by the return of forwards Pedrinho and Elie Moises N’Dekre while Christian Caruana and Ryan Darmanin started on the bench.
Bjorn Bondin was preferred to Matthew Mendy while Jonathan Francica replaced Yessous Camilleri in the heart of defence.
Qormi struck what proved the killer blow after 12 minutes.
Leighton Grech delivered a cross into the penalty area and Balzan defender Stefan Giglio inadvertently deflected the ball past Balzan goalkeeper Daniel Martinez as he tried to clear.
After that early setback, Balzan stepped up their attacking drive in a bid to get back into contention but their efforts were stopped by an organised Qormi defence who closed all avenues to the opposing forwards.
Balzan coach Ivan Zammit was clearly disappointed with his team’s efforts in the early stages and on 34 minutes, he sent on Camilleri for Aaron Agius.
The Reds switched to a three-man defence with Camilleri partnering Francica and Giglio.
Four minutes later, Balzan finally threatened when they won a free-kick in a central position and Pedrinho’s drive hit the wall with the ball ending just wide.
From the ensuing corner, taken by the Brazilian, the ball landed at the feet of Elton whose shot was blocked by Effiong. Referee Fyodor Zammit ordered a goal-kick, much to the chagrin of the Balzan players who claimed that they should have been awarded a corner.
Zammit continued to change his formation when introducing Caruana for Bondin with the former picking up a central midfield position in a 3-4-3 formation.
Three minutes from the break, Qormi threatened again when Edison Bilbao Zarate served Effiong in the area but the Nigerian’s header was too central to trouble Martinez.
The last chance of a drab first half came Qormi’s way but Kris Thackray’s curling drive flew high and wide.
As expected, Balzan lifted their efforts in search of an equaliser after the change of ends. Three minutes into the second half, they created a good opportunity when Moises released Elton who fired over from an inviting position.
Qormi remained a threat on the counter and on 53 minutes, Avila Perez burst forward and fed Christian Cassar who quickly released Effiong who turned past his marker but hit over.
Giglio almost committed a second own goal on the hour when his clearance from Avila Perez finished just over the bar, much to the relief of the veteran defender.
Balzan continued to push forward with intent and on 65 minutes, Jamie Pace forced his way into the penalty area but his angled drive was high.
At the other end, Avila Perez made headway on the left but his shot was pushed away by Martinez.
Two minutes later, Effiong set up Grech who burst into the area before sending his shot past Martinez but Francica was well-positioned to clear off the line.
Sixteen minutes from time, Balzan came close when, from a central free-kick, Pedrinho’s curling drive skimmed the bar before finishing wide.
With five minutes left, Qormi almost struck again but Avila Perez’s thunderbolt was palmed away by Martinez.
In time added-on, Avila Perez had another opportunity when, from another quick raid, Chetcuti set up the unmarked Spaniard whose attempt was somehow kept out by Martinez.
Balzan
D. Martinez, A. Agius (34 Y. Camilleri), J. Borg, J. Francica, J. Pace, B. Bondin (37 C. Caruana), F. Aboulezz, S. Giglio, Pedrinho, Elton, E. Moises (61 R. Conceicao).
Qormi
M. Farrugia, K. Thackray, A. Effiong, M. Avila Perez (90 A. Cassar), M. Gauci, E. Bilbao Zarate, D. Pisani, J. Bondin, C. Cassar (79 M. Bartolo), S. Wellman, L. Grech (77 J. Chetcuti).
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Yellow cards: Francica; Gauci; Zarate; Pedrinho; Giglio.
Attendance: 801.