Balzan Youths 2
Darmanin 65; Mifsud Triganza 77;
Kirkop United 0

Balzan needed two second-half goals to cruise into the fourth round of the FA Trophy at the expense of a well-organised Kirkop United.

Although they were under the cosh for much of the game, the Division Three leaders were never outplayed by their Premier League opponents as Albert Busuttil’s men tried to play positive football.

Balzan were soon on the offensive and on 12 minutes Gianmarco Piccioni was denied by Kirkop goalkeeper Joshua Galea.

Balzan had a perfect opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty after Piccioni was brought down in the area by Mark Pullicino but Oscar Guerrero saw his shot from the spot saved by Galea.

Balzan continued to press forward and they finally took the lead on 70 minutes when substitute Ryan Darmanin headed home a Piccioni cross.

The Red made the game safe seven minutes from time when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza scored following a melee inside the Kirkop area.

Kirkop were unlucky not to pull a goal back on 89 minutes when Vladimir Klikic saw his shot hit the bar.

Balzan: C. Cassar; J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, E.O. Serrano Valero, E. Bilbao Zarate, S. Arab, C. Brincat (58 L Micallef), S. Cipriott (46 M. Borg), O. Guerrero (46 R. Darmanin), J.P. Mifsud Triganza, G. Piccioni.

Kirkop: J. Galea, L. Mizzi, D. Rapinett, S. Camilleri, M. Pullicino, I. Scicluna, M. Theuma (62 M. Caruana), B. Gockay (75 A. Cutajar), M. Zammit (71 A. Spiteri), V. Klikic, E. Kaca.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Mizzi, Cipriott, Piccioni.

Today’s games

Centenary Stadium: 18.00 Mosta vs Senglea Athletic; 20.15 Birkir-kara vs Ħamrun Spartans.
Sirens Stadium: 18.00 Żebbuġ Rangers vs Victoria Hotspurs; 20.15 Qrendi vs Qormi.
Tedesco Stadium: 18.00 Tarxien Rainbows vs Gudja United; 20.15 Floriana vs Sliema Wanderers.

Fourth round pairings
Tarxien Rainbows /Gudja United vs Sirens; Melita vs Valletta; Żebbuġ Rangers/Victoria Hotspurs vs Pietà Hotspurs; Nadur Youngsters vs Hibs; Floriana/Sliema Wanderers vs Qrendi/Qormi; Gżira United vs Mosta/Senglea Athletic; Balzan vs Żabbar St Patrick; Siġġiewi vs Birkirkara/Ħamrun Spartans.

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