Melita defender George Gribbon (left) moves away from Renato Conceicao, of Balzan, during the league match at the National Stadium, yesterday. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar

Melita 1
Attard 76;
Balzan 2
Aboulezz 16; Darmanin 70;

Balzan secured their place in the Premier League for another year after a laboured victory over bottom-placed Melita who are now all but doomed to Division One football next season.

Balzan approached this match with added anxiety as a poor run of results, which saw them concede back-to-back defeats to troubled duo Rabat Ajax and Ħamrun Spartans, had put their top-flight status in danger.

But Balzan yesterday got the points they so much needed to stave off the relegation threat despite not setting any houses on fire.

On the other hand, Melita’s days in the Premier League are numbered as the Amateurs, despite a gallant fightback, suffered another defeat that left them six points adrift of third-bottom Rabat.

Melita could have returned home with a point yesterday but they missed a late penalty.

Now they must beat Rabat in their next Relegation Pool match to keep their flickering hopes alive.

Balzan coach Riccardo Tummiatti effected three changes from the team that lost to Floriana last week as Aaron Agius and Renato Conceicao returned from suspension while the recovering Jamie Pace was restored to the starting XI with Stefan Giglio, Bjorn Bondin and Renie Forace among the substitutes.

Melita had assistant coach Alejandro Martinez Lopez in the dugout as coach Patxi Salinas was serving another touchline ban.

He had to contend with the absences of Matthew Borg, Karl Vella Petroni and Ramon Sierra Camacho, all suspended.

Balzan did all the early running and after 10 minutes Firas Aboulezz forced his way past two defenders before hitting a low shot that just missed the upright.

Their dominance earned Balzan a deserved lead on 16 minutes when Aboulezz created space for himself just outside the penalty area before beating keeper Guillermo Gabilondo Garcia with a rasping drive.

Balzan continued to call the tune.

On 23 minutes, Melita failed to clear Aboulezz’s corner but Moises N’Dekre was late to connect from routine distance.

Melita looked short in ideas up front with forwards Julian Galea and Daniel Cabanillas too isolated in attack.

On the other hand, Balzan were happy to administer their advantage with the result that creative fare for the rest of the half was limited at both ends of the pitch.

On the change of ends, Martinez Lopez withdrew Luke Micallef and introduced Nigel Rizzo who filled his usual central midfield role with Serb Ivan Tufegdzic taking a more attacking position alongside Cabanillas and Galea.

Melita looked an improved lot. Luke Bianco went close but his angled drive flashed just wide.

The match remained a scrappy affair though with Balzan showing little attacking intent and Melita struggling to pose any threat to their opponents’ defence.

On 67 minutes, Galea delivered an inviting ball towards Antoine Attard whose header was blocked by the alert Martinez.

The Amateurs’ hopes were jolted on 70 minutes. Darmanin stole possession from Alhinho and sped inside the area before hitting past Gabilondo Garcia.

Melita were not finished however.

Galea’s shot flashed wide and a few minutes later Tufegdzic saw his header almost having the better of the keeper.

Attard sent a dangerous cross across the face of goal but Galea hit over from routine distance.

Melita’s persistence was rewarded on 76 minutes when Attard beat Martinez from a Galea centre.

The goal spurred the Amateurs forward and four minutes from time they had a glorious chance to draw level when Jacob Borg committed a handling infringe-ment inside the Balzan box to concede a penalty.

However, from the ensuing spot-kick, awarded by referee Esther Azzopardi, Galea saw his effort ably blocked by keeper Martinez as Balzan held on for a crucial win.

Melita
G. Gabilondo Garcia-6, L. Bianco-6, I. Tufegzdic-6, G. Gribbon-6, J. Galea-5, D. Cabanillas Ayllon-5, L. Micallef-5 (46 N. Rizzo-6.5), R. Alhinho-4, A. Borg Olivier-5 (56 A. Attard-7), M. Martin-4 (69 J.P. Attard-5), L. Sammut-5.5.

Balzan
D. Martinez-7.5, F. Aboulezz-6, A. Agius-6, E.M. N’Dekre-4 (62 C. Caruana-5), J. Borg-5.5, Y. Camilleri-6, R. Darmanin-5, R. Conceicao-6, D. Grima-5, M. Mendy-5, J. Pace-6.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Aboulezz, Borg Olivier, Grima, Rizzo, J.P. Attard, Martinez.

Missed penalty: Galea (M) 88.

BOV Player of the match: Firas Aboulezz (Balzan).