QORMI-1, BALZAN-2
Balzan came from a goal down to beat Qormi 2-1 in a game between two of the Premier League strugglers.The Reds deserved their win as they were the brighter side for long stretches while Qormi failed to build on the unexpected lead given to them by Alfred Effiong, their best player, early in the game.
With this win, Balzan moved on the eight-point mark and rejoined the race for the Championship Pool.After three minutes, Balzan defender Rodrigo Pereira lifted his free-kick over the bar.
The early exchanges were dull as scoring chances proved hard to come by. Gradually, Balzan took the upperhand.They wasted a glorious chance to take the lead on 12 minutes. It was Justin Grioli who made the spadework as the former Tarxien right-back ran clear on the wing before sending in a teasing cross that fell to Jose Luis Armario Negrin.
The Spaniard was virtually unchallenged at the far post but his first touch was heavy and his final effort was easily saved by Matthew Farrugia.
Negrin then flicked the ball straight into Farrugia after latching on to a lofted pass from Fabio Vignaroli.Qormi offered little going forward in the first 20 minutes but they opened the scoring midway into the first half.Running on to a long ball, Alfred Effiong held off Pereira and beat Daniel Martinez with a fierce shot.
Stunned by Effiong's goal, Balzan toiled to regain their early momentum.Five minutes from half-time, Qormi's Leighton Grech ran infield from the left before hitting a low drive that flashed past the near post.
On the verge of half-time, Balzan equalised. Grioli supplied another measured cross from the right and Mark Spiteri jumped above friend and foe to head the ball firmly past Farrugia.
Spiteri was prominent again five minutes into the second half as he raced past a number of Qormi players but his grounder was saved by Farrugia.Balzan stayed on top. They should have scored when Spiteri's cross from inside the box reached Lydon Micallef but the latter rifled wide with the goal at his mercy.At the other end, Christian Terribile, who had just replaced Gabrieli, turned well outside the box but his rising drive was wide.Balzan deservedly forged ahead on 65 minutes.
And it was a beautiful goal as Spiteri's corner from the right flew above a host of players and Sciberras, yesterday facing his former team, met the ball with a first-time volley that gave Farrugia no chance.With 16 minutes left, Qormi Effiong, charging into the box to meet a cross, nipped behind Andrew Scicluna. The Nigerian's header was tipped away by Martinez who barged into Effiong, prompting shouts of 'penalty' from Qormi but Lautier waved play on.Four minutes from time, Effiong sped into the box but his diagonal effort hit the side-netting.
Balzan winger Spiteri was named BOV player of the match.