Balzan’s Oscar Guerrero (right) finds his way blocked by Żebbuġ duo Mattias Muchardi and Yessous Camilleri (grounded).

Żebbuġ Rangers 1
Mamic 30;
Balzan 1
Piccioni 63;

This was a game that produced a plethora of chances but only two goals as the two goalkeepers took centre-stage.

Fabricio Rapchan Dos Santos Morales, Żebbuġ’s goalkeeper, pulled off a series of fine saves to thwart the fast-starting Balzan in the opening half-hour and in the early stages of the second half after Rangers had seized the lead against the run of play.

Energised by Bojan Mamic’s opener and Morales’s fine saves, Żebbuġ really upped their game with Matthew Bartolo and Mattias Muchardi dominating midfield and Yessous Camilleri a tower of strength at the back.

Still, this gallant display, probably Rangers’ best of the season, was not enough to yield a much-craved first win in the Premier League as Balzan did well to equalise early in the second half before goalkeeper Steve Sultana came to the fore with a series of vital blocks as Żebbuġ pressed for a winner.

Michael Borg flanked Edison Bilbao Zarate in Balzan’s midfield with the returning Ice Cream Osa Guo-badia shielding the back four.

It was 4-3-3 from Oliver Spiteri with Oscar Guerrero and Lydon Micallef detailed to provide width and Gianmarco Piccioni taking up the central striker’s role.

It was Balzan who produced the first telling move of the game after three minutes. Micallef freed Guerrero, who had been left completely unguarded, but the Colombian’s effort was touched away for a corner by Morales.

Moments later, Piccioni’s header was blocked by the keeper.

Reprieved, Rangers went close at the other end but Monti’s free-kick sailed wide of the far post.

Lee Galea, drafted into Żebbuġ’s starting XI to fill the void left by defender Javier Diaz Serrano who has left the club, produced a vital tackle to nudge the ball away from Piccioni inside the box.

Alfonso Greco, the Żebbuġ coach, initially opted for 4-1-4-1 with recalled captain Melvin Farrugia stationed in front of defence and striker Mamic, also making a first-team return, leading the line.

Balzan remained the brisker side. Bezzina, a more enterprising figure on the left wing than of late, sped into the box but his cross-cum-shot was palmed away by Morales. The ball fell to Micallef who miscued his attempt but the danger refused to go away for Rangers as Piccioni unleashed a shot that was charged down by the alert Morales.

Panic seemed to grip Żebbuġ each time Balzan pressed forward.

But, Balzan’s failure to make their supremacy count came back to haunt them on the half-hour.

Matthew Gauci was given time and space to advance on the left wing before dragging an inviting cross into the box and towards Mamic who headed past keeper Steve Sultana.

Mamic’s goal took the wind out of Balzan’s sails. A misjudged pass from Arab was intercepted by Monti who promptly released Britto but Piccioni came rushing back to dispossess the Brazilian.

Three minutes from half-time, Sultana pushed away Monti’s dangerous cross from a left-wing free-kick. Britto fired wide from an angle as Żebbuġ sought to capitalise on Balzan’s frailties.

On the stroke of half-time, Balzan missed a great opportunity to equalise, Piccioni heading over from close in after meeting Bez-zina’s perfect cross.

At half-time, Spiteri brought on Dylan Grima for Borg. Grima was making his first appearance this season after recovering from cruciate surgery.

Morales denied Balzan an equaliser with a top-drawer save from Guerrero’s half-volley after the Colombian had raced into the box to reach Piccioni’s cross. The Brazilian goalkeeper then blocked a shot by Guobadia.

It was all square on 63 minutes.

Elkin Serrano’s quick pass caught the Żebbuġ defence on the wrong foot as Zarate flicked the ball to Piccioni who took aim before hitting a low shot past Morales.

Britto had a golden opportunity to put Żebbuġ back in front after Matthew Bartolo’s pass found him unmarked but the Brazilian’s grounder was blocked by Sultana.

The Balzan keeper rescued his team with another point-blank save from Galea’s flick after Monti’s cross from a free-kick had unpicked the Balzan defence.

With 10 minutes remaining, Miguel Ciantar saw his grounder beaten away by Sultana.

Four minutes from time, Sultana was prominent again when stopping Muchardi’s drive after excellent work by Bartolo.

More was to come from the Balzan no.1 as he made no fewer than three successive stops from Ratko Mandic after Monti’s cross had caused panic in the box.

Żebbuġ Rangers
F.R. Morales-8, J. Borg-6.5, L. Galea-6.5, Y. Camilleri-7, M. Gauci-6.5, M. Farrugia-6.5, M. Muchardi-6.5, C. Monti-6.5, B. Mamic-7, M. Bartolo-8 (90 R. Mandic), M.R. Britto-6 (76 M. Ciantar).

Balzan
S. Sultana-8, E.O. Serrano-6.5, S. Bezzina-6.5, J. Grioli-6, E. Bilbao Zarate-6.5, I.C. Guobadia-6, S. Arab-5.5, M. Borg-5.5 (46 D. Grima-5, 86-G. McKay), O. Guerrero-6, L. Micallef-5.5 (71 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5.5), G. Piccioni-6.

Referee: Iwan Griffith (Wales).

Yellow cards: Borg; Zarate; Monti; Arab; Farrugia.

BOV player of the match: Fabricio Morales (Żebbuġ Rangers).