BALZAN 1, MOSTA 1 

Balzan and Mosta cancelled each other out in a dour encounter.

The early stages belonged to Balzan. Danger beckoned Mosta, when, after five minutes, when Piccioni was clean through after exchanging passes with Bojan Kaljevic. The Italian, however, scrambled his attempt with the goal at mercy.

Mosta’s first significant foray into opposing half paid instant dividends as Steve Sultana blocked Ryan Grech’s swerving shot but pushed it straight into the path of Michael Dawood who slammed home.

The cheers of the Mosta fans had hardly died down when Balzan levelled matters. Dylan Grima was the provider as his long pass found Kaljevic who drilled the ball past Omar Borg from a somewhat angled position.

On the half hour, Balzan went close to moving 2-1 up. Piccioni created space in the penalty area before unleashing a low shot that was pushed away for a corner by Borg. Before half-time, Edison Zarate Bilbao slipped a low cross towards Kaljevic whose low shot trickled past Tyrone Farrugia but ended on the side-netting.

Balzan tried to force the tempo at the start of the second half but they almost got punished on the counter shy the hour mark. Dawood advanced on the left flank and switched the ball to the advancing Kurt Magro but he was strained by Steve Bezzina when about to shoot.

Three minutes later, Balzan threatened to score. Oscar Guerrero’s cross from the right-wing sparked chaos in the Mosta as Piccioni headed the ball goalwards but Borg showed sound reflexes to palm the ball away.

With Mosta hurling caution to the wind as they pressed for the winger, Mosta’s pacy wingers and forwards were getting more chances on the break.

On 77 minutes, Mosta had a great opportunity to regain the lead when Gary Roberts unleashed a screamer off the outside of his right boot that swerved past Sultana but the ball ended just wide.