Balzan 3
N’Dekre 1, 78; Caruana 45;
Ħamrun Spartans 1
Lattes 7;
Balzan recovered from the setback of bowing out of the U*Bet FA Trophy when they edged past 10-man Ħamrun Spartans to significantly boost their hopes of retaining their top-flight status.
The Reds had come into the match after a difficult week. Their exit from the FA Trophy, at the hands of Qormi, was hard to fathom and their problems intensified following the departure of Brazilian duo Elton and Pedrinho.
But Balzan’s character again came to the fore. Inspired by Ivorian striker Elie Moises N’Dekre, scorer of a brace, they put their troubles behind to put on a slick display against the relegation-haunted Spartans.
For Ħamrun, yesterday’s defeat was another hammer blow to their hopes of avoiding the drop. The Spartans, who have slipped to second from bottom, were again let down by poor defending that left them trailing their opponents for much of the match.
No doubt, they need to up their game by several notches, starting from next Friday’s direct clash with Rabat Ajax, if they are to boost their survival bid.
Balzan coach Ivan Zammit, who was serving a touchline ban, was forced to do without a host of first-team players as Yessous Camilleri, Jonathan Francica and Renato Conceicao were suspended, besides the absence of Elton and Pedrinho.
Ryan Darmanin and Christian Caruana were both included in the starting formation after being left out of their team’s defeat to Qormi in the FA Trophy.
Firas Aboulezz and Dylan Grima returned to the first XI as Jamie Pace was only fit enough to start on the bench.
Ħamrun coach Stefan Sultana effected two changes from the 3-0 defeat to Birkirkara as midfielder Massimo Grima, suspended, was replaced by another veteran, David Camilleri.
Daniel Zerafa was ruled out with a back injury with Ryan Spiteri given the nod to start in midfield.
Calamitous defending by the Spartans handed Balzan the lead after only nine seconds. Straight from kick-off, Aboulezz’s through-ball caught Bledjon Guga and Roderick Fenech napping and in darted N’Dekre who anticipated Spartans goalkeeper Andrea Cassar before heading into an empty net.
Ħamrun hit back strongly, drawing level on seven minutes. The goal again owed to poor defending, this time from Balzan. Goalkeeper Daniel Martinez charged out of his goal to retrieve a backpass but he fumbled his attempt to clear and in came Loic Lumbilla who quickly served Emiliano Lattes with the Argentine firing home.
Balzan threatened again on 19 minutes when, from Aboulezz’s corner, Matthew Mendy saw his firm header deflected by a defender before the Spartans cleared.
Ħamrun responded on 26 minutes when, in a quick raid, Giacomo Favero released Spiteri on the right and the nippy winger quickly sent a teasing cross towards Lumbilla who was anticipated by Jacob Borg.
Three minutes later, Lumbilla was at it again when he got on the end of a Glenn Azzopardi cross but the Frenchman’s header finished just wide.
Ten minutes from half-tine, Balzan came close to taking the lead. Another Aboulezz corner sailed towards Caruana whose header was partially blocked by Cassar but Favero cleared the ball off the line.
Eight minutes from the break, Grima tried his luck from the distance but saw his effort clip the upright before finishing wide.
It was end-to-end stuff and on 40 minutes, Terence Vella released Favero whose diagonal shot was blocked in two attempts by Martinez.
Balzan restored their lead with the last kick of the first half. The Spartans failed to clear Aboulezz’s cross from a corner kick and in came Mendy who quickly sent a low cross towards Caruana who fired home.
After the change of ends, it was Balzan who remained the more dangerous side. On 50 minutes, Aboulezz picked a poor pass from Azzopardi to power forward but his firm drive flew just wide.
Ħamrun finally threatened on 58 minutes when Lattes controlled the ball just outside the area but his shot was too central to threaten Martinez.
Ħamrun needed a goal and on 67 minutes Vella’s long-range shot drew a fine save from Martinez.
The Spartans’ hopes were handed a blow on 71 minutes when Fenech was shown a straight red card for swearing.
With a man down, the Spartans had a mountain to climb and Balzan killed the game 12 minutes from time when Caruana released N’Dekre who slid the ball past the onrushing Cassar.
Balzan
D. Martinez-5, J. Borg-6.5, A. Agius-5, S. Giglio-6, M. Mendy-6.5 J. Bondin-5, D. Grima-6.5, F. Aboulezz-7, C. Caruana-7.5 (87 J. Corbolan), R. Darmanin-6.5, E. N’Dekre-7.5.
Ħamrun Spartans
A. Cassar-6, A. Borg-6 (62 L. Grech-6), G. Azzopardi-6.5, R. Fenech, B. Guga-5.5, D. Camilleri-6.5, R. Spiteri-5, G. Favero-5.5, L. Lumbilla-5.5, T. Vella-6 (82 R. Refalo), E. Lattes-6.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow cards: Favero, Bondin.
Red card: Fenech (Ħ) 72.
BOV player of the match: Christian Caruana (Balzan).
Attendance: 471.