Rabat Ajax 3
Negrin 18 Pen, 79, Azzopardi 77
Balzan 0
The Spanish trio of Manuel Fuster, Diego Carrillo Pendas and Jose Luis Armario Negrin combined beautifully yesterday to inspire relegation candidates Rabat Ajax to a valuable 3-0 victory over Balzan.
Desperate for a win to keep their survival bid on track, Rabat translated this urgency into an energetic performance that jolted a dismal Balzan side who looked totally devoid of motivation to the point that they hardly mustered a genuine scoring chance.
Negrin scored a brace for the Magpies but should have had a hat-trick as he was guilty of at least two glaring misses after being sent clear by his Spanish team-mates whose footballing intelligence and crisp passing proved too much for their leaden-footed opponents.
It is just as well that Rabat’s Spanish Armada, ably supported by their relentless team-mates, appear to have hit top form at this crucial stage of the season as their showing yesterday bodes well for their remaining relegation tussles.
With 20 points, Balzan are virtually safe but they could face a nervy finale if they repeat yesterday’s woeful performance which dismayed the club officials who have reportedly called an urgent meeting today to discuss the matter.
Clive Brincat replaced the injured Gaetano Gesualdi in the only change in Rabat’s line-up from the 2-2 draw with Melita.
Rabat coach Silvio Vella set his team out in a 4-3-2-1 formation with Carrillo Pendas and Fuster providing support for fellow countryman Negrin, the Magpies’ lone forward.
Spanish goalkeeper Daniel Martinez was back in Balzan’s starting XI as coach Ivan Zammit made three alterations from the 4-4 draw with Qormi.
Zammit also opted for 4-2-3-1 with Elie N’Dekre and Caruana playing behind Ryan Darmanin.
After a poor opening, Rabat should have seized the lead on 17 minutes when Negrin evaded the offside trap to run on to Carrillo’s through-pass but the former Melita striker miscued his shot with only Martinez to beat.
Balzan’s reprieve was temporary as, barely a minute later, Stefan Giglio brought down Carrillo in the penalty area. Referee Marco Borg pointed to the spot and cautioned Giglio before Negrin despatched his penalty shot past Martinez.
Midway into the first half, Rabat threatened again when Carrillo’s corner flew to Ivan Carapic whose header was blocked by Martinez.
Rabat remained the brighter side. They should have extended their lead when Fuster raced into the box from the left but his drive hit the underside of the crossbar.
Ten minutes from half-time, Martinez tipped another Fuster attempt away for a corner.
Balzan were subdued for much of the first half, their ineptitude in contrast with Rabat’s aggressive approach.
A wonderful pass from Fuster five minutes into the second half broke the boredom as Negrin ran clear of Mendy but the Spaniard took a heavy touch and his effort was too central to trouble Martinez.
The Balzan keeper then blocked an effort from Carrillo before Darmanin spurned a good chance for Balzan as his drive was saved by Mintoff.
The erstwhile anonymous N’Dekre headed wide from Mendy’s cross but it was Rabat who nearly doubled their advantage when Carrillo’s curling drive from a free-kick cannoned off the bar before Mendy cleared.
With 16 minutes remaining, Rabat should have put the game to bed when, in a counter-attack, Fuster again freed Negrin who tried to chip the ball over Martinez but the Balzan goalkeeper saved.
It looked a matter of when not if Rabat would increase their lead.
Their efforts yielded not one but two goals as David Azzopardi made it 2-0 with a well-hit effort and two minutes later, Negrin lifted the ball past Martinez after being put thro-ugh by man-of-the-match Fuster.
Rabat Ajax: S. Mintoff-6, I. Carapic-6, J. Caruana-6.5, J.L. Armario Negrin-6.5 (84 M. Licari), M. Fuster-7.5, D. Falzon-6, P. Borg-5 (78 J. Felice), C. Brincat-6, D. Carrillo Pendas-7, D. Azzopardi-6.5 (81 Y. Cauchi), C. Gauci-6.
Balzan: D. Martinez-4, J. Borg-3, M. Mendy-4, S. Giglio-3 (85 A. Agius), Y. Camilleri-4, J. Pace-4, R. Conceicao-3 (68 B. Bondin-4), D. Grima-4, C. Caruana-4, E. Moises N’Dekre-3 (85 F. Aboulezz), R. Darmanin-4
Referee: Marco Borg
Yellow Cards: Giglio; Grima; Falzon.
Bov Player Of The Match: Manuel Fuster (Rabat).