Qormi 1
Serrano Valero 70og;
Balzan 2
Guerrero 66; Darmanin 90;
Ryan Darmanin gave a timely reminder of his striking qualities after coming off the bench two minutes from time and grab the all-important goal for a hard-fought Balzan win.
Prior to his introduction, Balzan were heading towards a stalemate despite creating the better chances but letting themselves down with some wayward finishing.
However, Darmanin swayed the match in his team’s favour when he struck the winner with a typical opportunistic goal to make sure his team remains unbeaten and in touch with the front-runners in the championship.
Balzan effected one change to their starting formation as Steve Sultana started in goal at the expense of Christian Cassar who was serving a one-match ban.
Qormi’s Josef Mansueto had two changes to his starting formation as Steve Agius was preferred from Emerson Vella while midfielder Anderson started ahead of Albert Bruce.
Balzan threatened on 17 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick inside the Qormi box and Oscar Guerrero saw his drive hitting the bar.
A minute later Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia suffered an injury. He was replaced by Jurgen Cilia and the young stand-in was soon called into action to deny the goalbound Gianmarco Piccioni.
Nine minutes from the break, Balzan tried to profit from some poor positioning in the Qormi defence when Lydon Micallef picked Mifsud Triganza whose attempted scissors kick finished over.
Qormi finally threatened two minutes from the break. 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.
The Qormi goalkeeper distinguished himself again on 55 minutes when he blocked a shot by Mifsud Triganza who was put through on goal by Edison Bilboa Zarate.
Balzan continued to create the better chances and their pressure paid off on 66 minutes when Piccioni fed Guerrero who sidestepped his marker before cooly chipping the ball over the onrushing Cilia.
But Balzan’s joy was shortlived as four minutes later Temile sped into the area before hitting a low cross that was inadvertently diverted into the net by Balzan defender Elkin Serrano Valero.
Temile was at it again on 71 minutes with another surging run but this time his shot was cleared to a corner by Luke Sciberras.
Two minutes from time Darmanin came in for Mifsud Triganza and the lanky striker immediately left his mark as he burst into the box before hitting a rasping drive that gave Cilia no chance.
Qormi almost saved the match in stoppage time. Sultana palmed away Effiong’s cross with the ball falling into the path of Latini Mazzetti whose attempted lob came off the bar.
Qormi
M. Farrugia (18 J. Cilia-7), J. Bondin-6, M. Latini Mazzetti-6, Anderson-6 (66 A. Bruce-5), D. Pisani-6, R. Sammut-5, J. Chetcuti-5, Z. Levniac-6, S. Agius-5.5 (76 E. Vella), A. Effiong-5, F. Temile-6.
Balzan
S. Sultana-6, J. Grioli-6, S. Bezzina-6, E. Serrano Valero-5, E. Bilboa Zarate-6, I. Guobadia-6 (43 F. Odebe-6), L. Sciberras-6, L. Micallef-6.5, O. Guerrero-6.5 (79 M. Borg), J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5.5 (88 R. Darmanin), G. Piccioni-5.5.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: Sciberras, Temile, Grioli, Sammut, Mifsud Triganza.
BOV Player of the match: Oscar Guerrero (Balzan).