Balzan FC 1 Birkirkara 2

Ten-man Birkirkara avoided a major upset, holding on to late rally by brave Balzan FC.

Brazilian Jhonnattann generated his team's two-goal advantage in the opening 35 minutes as Balzan then coped better with him as the game progressed but the damage had been done.

The goal Birkirkara had threatened as early as the third minute finally came when Jhonnattann's visionary pass between the retreating defenders to the galloping Shodiya who converted the Stripes' opener nine minutes into the game.

The Brazilian flashed of creativity were delivered with such time and space as were allowed him by the accommodating opponents.

In 39th minute, Rowen Muscat was in the right position at the right time to snatch at Jhoannattann cross to deflect it into the net from the goal-line. But it was not only plain-sailing for Birkirkara as they were hit by a double injury blow within the first 30 minutes of the game when both Shodiya and Joselito had to be withdrawn because of injury.

Balzan coped better with Birkirkara's foray as the game progressed but the damage had been done.

In the 43rd minute, Pedrinho fired a powerful free-kick which Reuben Gauci tipped over the crossbar.

Moments later, Matthew Mendy saw a deflected shot well saved by the Birkirkara goalkeeper while Deanov hit the rebound narrowly wide. After the break, Birkirkara went on to dominate large chunks of play and Balzan were indebt to Matthew Camilleri for keeping the deficit at two palming away Ryan Camenzuli's long-range effort after 48 minutes.

The incident seemed to rouse Balzan though with their suspended, Ivan Zammit continuously communicating with the team via mobile phone and in the 69th minute Pedrinho's deft chip played Yessous Camilleri through but the defender could not get a decent touch on the ball to trouble the goalkeeper.

Balzan were showing no respect or reverence to their more illustrious opponents and Mendy rattled the underside of the bar with Gauci beaten in the 79th minute.

And the stripes were down to 10 men a minute later as a lunge from Ryan Scicluna on Elton resulted in referee Andre' Arcila producing a straight red card.

Balzan tried to make their numerical advantage count as one minute from time, substitute Malcolm Licari drilled in a cross from Calcadoas his expert header to the near post was beyond Gauci's reach.

But the equaliser Balzan's endeavours deserved failed to materialise.