NAXXAR LIONS-0, BALZAN-1
Balzan strengthened their push for Championship Pool after beating direct rivals Naxxar Lions 1-0 this evening.
Lydon Micallef's goal late in the first half settled a tight contest in which Balzan were the better side with Naxxar making a reaction in the second period.With this win, Balzan have closed the gap on the sixth-placed Naxxar Lions to two points with two points left before the end of the first phase of the Premier League.
After four minutes, Fabio Vignaroli's cross reached Dylan Grima at the far post but the Balzan captain mishit his cross-shot and the Naxxar defence cleared.Lydon Micallef turned well in the inside-left channel but his shot was blocked by Julian Azzopardi, the Naxxar goalkeeper.Naxxar protested for a penalty on 11 minutes after Brazilian striker Gilmar fell under the challenge of Andrew Scicluna.
At the other end, Balzan's Jose Luis Armario Negrin charged clear on the right win before passing to Edison Bilbao Zarate whose central shot was easily saved by Azzopardi.
The exchanges became more balanced as the first half moved on.Balzan had a good chance to forge ahead close to the half-hour when Zarate's low cross from the left found Pedrinho in the box and the Brazilian flicked the ball to Grima but the latter was denied by Azzopardi.
They threatened again through Micallef whose firm drive was beaten away by Azzopardi.Ryan Gilmour Cassar, the Naxxar right-back, tried to surprise Balzan goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo with a shot from the distance but his effort was high.
Balzan gained a deserved lead two minutes from half-time. The move was inspired by Zarate who veered infield from the left before serving Negrin in the box. The Spaniard was unmarked but he opted to pass to Micallef who sidestepped Azzopardi before tapping home at the far post.Naxxar Lions coach Winston Muscat threw on Milan Vignjevic for fellow Serbian midfielder Filip Stojanovic at the start of the second half.
Naxxar were the more aggressive side in the early stages of the second half.Gilmar had a rising shot saved by Bartolo after good work by Angus Buhagiar.
Pedrinho went close with a curling drive that flew over the bar.Naxxar were quick to get down the other as Vignjevic released Buhagiar whose low shot was kept out by Bartolo.
Vignjevic then headed wide from Bellia's cross.After a difficult start to the second half, Balzan improved. Micallef, one of the Balzan's eye-catching performers yesterday, stormed clear on the left but his pass just eluded Negrin.
With 15 minutes remaining, Naxxar should have equalised when Daren Falzon, who had just come on Cassar, released Scerri but the lanky striker sent his shot over the bar.Scerri was then thwarted by a timely tackle from Balzan defender Ramon after Falzon and Gilmar had combined to send the on-loan Valletta forward through.Late in the game, Vignjevic was denied an equaliser by the woodwork as his rising shot came off the crossbar.
Balzan midfielder Zarate was named BOV player of the match.