Balzan were back to winning ways as Ryan Darmanin came off the bench to hand his team a dramatic 2-1 victory over Qormi at the National Stadium.

The match turned out to be a lively affair with both teams creating several scoring opportunities.

Balzan threatened on 17 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick inside the Qormi area and Oscar Guerrero saw his curling drive hit the bar.

A minute later Mansueto was forced to make his first change as goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia suffered an injury and was replaced by young Jurgen Cilia.
The young Qormi keeper was soon called to action as on 24 minutes he charged out of his goal to deny the goalbound Gianmarco Piccioni.

Qormi finally threatened two minutes from the break when Pisani fed Temile who outstretched his leg to direct a low shot that was pushed away by Sultana.

The second half started in lively fashion with Qormi coming close on 50 minutes through an Anderson free-kick that finished over while at the other end Piccioni released Lydon Micallef who was denied by Cilia.

Balzan continued to create the better chances and on the hour Micallef’s curling shot just missed the upright.

Balzan’s pressure finally paid off on 66 minutes when Piccioni fed Guerrero who sidestepped his marker before he cooly chipped the ball over the onrushing Cilia.

But Balzan’s joy was shortlived as three minutes later Temile sped into the area before hitting a low cross that was inadvertently diverted into his own net by Balzan defender Elkin Serrano Valero.

However, it was balzan who had the final say as in stoppage time Ryan Darmanin, who had just replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, burst into the area before hitting a rasping drive that flew into the net.

Balzan striker Oscar Guerrero was voted as the BOV Player of the match.

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