Balzan’s Justin Grioli (left) tries to close down Floriana winger Matteo Piciollo. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Balzan 3
Mifsud Triganza 2; Piccioni 17 pen; Guobadia 86;
Floriana 2
Bonnici 42; Galea 90;

Balzan’s lofty ambitions received a timely boost yesterday when they had the better of direct rivals Floriana to consolidate their grip on fourth place in the standings which, depending on the outcome of the FA Trophy, could mean a place in the Europa League next season.

It was a deserved success for Oliver Spiteri’s team whose appreciation of collective discipline and team spirit gave them the cutting edge against a Floriana side who played with 10 men for an hour after Amadou Samb, who was returning from suspension following his red card in the 4-1 victory over Żebbuġ Rangers, was sent off for denying Balzan a scoring opportunity.

The availability of Samb had enabled coach Giovanni Tedesco to go back to his preferred 4-3-3 module with the Senegalese striker forming a three-pronged attack alongside Vito Plut and Matteo Piciollo.

Spiteri opted for 4-3-1-2 with Edison Bilbao Zarate and Clive Brincat awarded a recall as Lydon Micallef flanked Gianmarco Piccioni up front with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza roaming behind the striking duo.

Balzan’s resolve to take maximum points was in evidence when they took the lead after just two minutes.

Justin Grioli was the architect as he combined speed and power to outrun Emanuel Briffa on the right before sending in a cross towards the far post.

Tyrone Gauci, the young Floriana goalkeeper, flapped at the ball as he tried to anticipate Micallef, only to push it straight into the path of Mifsud Triganza who buried the ball into the net.

Grioli’s runs on the right were a constant threat for the Greens. It was the former Valletta player who started the move which led Piccioni to hit a rising shot over the bar after 10 minutes.

Seven minutes later, Balzan extended their lead.

Floriana midfielder Clyde Borg was adjudged to have blocked Steve Bezzina’s corner with his hands and from the ensuing penalty, Piccioni drilled the ball past Gauci.

Shy of the half-hour mark, Bezzina’s surge into the box was halted by the sliding Samb, prompting referee Sandro Spiteri to expel the striker and order a second penalty for Balzan.

This time, Osa Guobadia assumed responsibility for the penalty but the Nigerian’s tame shot was pushed away by Gauci.

From the possibility of going 3-0 down, Floriana reduced the deficit.

Steve Pisani’s curling cross from a corner sailed towards the unmarked Steve Bonnici and the defender beat Steve Sultana with a downward header into the right corner.

After a promising start, Balzan faded away with their attacking trio showing little understanding between them. Yet, they had a glorious chance to restore their two-goal advantage three minutes into the second half but Piccioni’s rising shot was blocked by Gauci.

On the hour mark, Spiteri introduced Samir Arab for Micallef, switching to five defenders.

At this point, Balzan were clearly there for the taking as Floriana, despite being a man down, took the game to their rivals.

Floriana’s confused efforts were easily withheld by Balzan, though.

As the Greens’ pressure fizzled out, Spiteri introduced Ryan Darmanin. The towering striker almost made an immediate impact but his header was warded off by Gauci. From the ensuing corner, Guobadia resolved a goalmouth melee by heading home.

Floriana pulled one back at death. Plut hit the ball hard towards goal only to be denied by a brave save from Sultana.

The loose ball rolled towards substitute Giovanni Galea, who had come on for Emanuel Briffa, and the striker scored from point blank with his second attempt.

Balzan
S. Sultana-6, E. Serrano Valero-6.5, S. Bezzina-6, J. Grioli-7.5, E. Bilbao Zarate-6.5, L. Sciberras-6.5 (84 R. Darmanin), C. Brincat-7, O. Guobadia-6.5, L. Micallef-6 (60 S. Arab-5), G. Piccioni-6, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6 (68 D. Grima-5).

Floriana
T. Gauci-6, Douglas-6, E. Marcelina-6.5, S. Pisani-6.5, C. Borg-5 (46 B. Farrugia-5), V. Plut-5.5, M. Piciollo-4.5, N. Spiteri-4.5 (41 G. Muir-5), E. Briffa-5.5 (69 G. Galea-5), A. Samb, S. Bonnici-6.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

Yellow cards: Guobadia; Micallef; Grioli; Serrano; Piccioni; Piciollo; Bonnici; Pisani; Brincat.

Red card: Samb (F) 29.

Missed penalty: Guobadia (B) 31.

BOV player of the match: Justin Grioli (Balzan).

Standings