Balzan 0
Pembroke Athleta 0

Balzan were desperate to reassert their challenge for the Premier League championship after two defeats on the trot saw the other contenders gaining more ground on them.

A match against Pembroke was universally viewed as a fitting occasion for Oliver Spiteri’s troops to highlight their credentials and get back to winning ways after two defeats at the hands of Tarxien and Valletta.

However, the Reds only succeeded in arresting their losing run as they could not go beyond a goalless stalemate against the fired up Pembroke.

After the break, Balzan had a hatful of chances to break the deadlock with Nigerian forward Godwin Mensha squandering a couple of open opportunities to put them ahead.

Balzan’s 4-3-3 formation, with Dylan Grima preferred to Lydon Micallef and detailed to link up with front-runners Alfred Effiong and Mensha, held sway in terms of possession.

Pembroke, relying on fast breaks, had Gustavo Villalobos, Ariel Laudisi and Siraj Arab replacing Austin Martz in their striking force. They were supplied with long balls mostly from Paltemio Barbetti and Kyle O’Brien.

Balzan maintained the pressure earlier on but Pembroke were looking confident with Patmore Shereni and Owen Bugeja keeping a watchful eye on Effiong and Mensha.

On the quarter of hour mark, a timely block by Bugeja on Mensha averted danger.

Getting on the end of a Mensha pass, Edison Bilbao Zarate made ground before unleashing a drive that seemed destined to hit the back of the net but for the timely intervention of veteran goalkeeper Mario Muscat, who was replacing the half-fit Matthew Farrugia yesterday.

On the restart, Micallef was handed the task of enhancing Balzan’s cutting edge as he replaced defender Maxim Focsa.

There was greater purpose to Pembroke’s attacking movement in the second half. Shereni missed a fine opportunity to put his team ahead as he headed out from Barbetti’s cross.

On the hour mark, Villalobos mustered a strong drive that Christian Cassar, the Balzan goalkeeper saved with the aid of the post.

After 74 minutes, Mensha fluffed a fine opportunity to put his team ahead but Effiong’s right-footed caught him by surprise at the far post.

And the national team striker was out of luck again two minutes later, sending a header wide from Justin Grioli’s delivery as his confidence seemed badly affected.

That lack of self-belief was mostly evident nine minutes from time when Mensha squandered another good opportunity after being set up by Micallef.

Six minutes from time, Mensha sent a teasing cross inside the Pembroke box but Effiong failed to connect with the ball.

At the death, Mensha managed to swerve his shot past Pembroke’s rearguard but his effort struck the base of the far post.

Balzan
C. Cassar-6, M. Focsa-5 (46 L. Micallef-5), J. Grioli-6, G. Mensha-5.5, D. Grima-5 (77 R Darmanin), C. Brincat-6, A. Effiong-6, S. Arab-6, E. Bilbao Zarate-5 (60 R. Fenech-5), E. Serrano Valero-6, L. Sciberras-6.

Pembroke Athleta
M. Muscat-6, A. Cini-6, R. Tanti-5, O. Bugeja-6.5, P. Barbetti-6.5, Z. Levnaic-6, K. O’Brien-6.5, S. Arab-6 (72 A. Martz), A. Laudisi-5, P. Shereni-6, G. Villalobos-6.

Referee: Glen Tonna.

Yellow cards: Brincat, Bilbao Zarate, Sciberras, Siraj Arab, Levnaic.

BOV player of the match: Edison Bilbao Zarate.

Attendance: 374.

Standings