Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/252940
50 FOOTBALL maltatoday, SUNDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2014 Sport PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD SPORTTODAY Late goal by Balzan's Armario Negrin sinks Tarxien Balzan .......................3 Tarxien Rainbows .......2 BALZAN had to work hard to de- feat Tarxien Rainbows 3-2 to col- lect the precious three points that would move them to sixth place. They sit one point ahead of Naxx- ar who still have a game in hand. Tarxien made a great comeback after being two goals down, but in the final minutes of the match Balzan scored to seal the victory. This would be Tarxien's third de- feat in their last four matches. The match started under heav y rain fall and the match had to be stopped on the third minute do to heav y wind and rain. A few min- utes later the match resumed. After both sides had numerous chances on goal Balzan man- aged to take the lead on the 29th minute. A header by Andre Scicluna in the direction of Jose Luis Arma- rio Negrin was enough for the lat- ter to tap the ball in. Balzan doubled the score on the 34th minute. Off a cross by Pedro, Lydon Micallef 's diagonal shot beat goalkeeper Nicky Vella. Tarxien reduced the gap in add- ed time. Demba Toure beat goal- keeper Manuel Bartolo with his powerful shot from close range to make the score 2-1. Tarxien were unlucky not to score the equaliser just before the first half ended when Manuel Caruana's shot hit the woodwork. Tarxien managed to score the equaliser on the 66th minute. Off a corner by Jorge Santos Silva, Demba Toure headed the ball past goalkeeper Manual Bartolo to make the score 2-2. Both team continued to fight for the winning goal and it would be balzan that would come out on top. Three minutes from time, Jose Luis Armario Negrin beat goal- keeper Nicky Vella with his low shot and ruined what was a great comeback from Tarxien. BALZAN Manuel Bartolo, An- drew Scicluna, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina, Lucas Ramon dos Santos, Fabio Vignaroli (73' Kurt Magro), Dylan Grima (79' Ryan Darmanin), Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Lydon Micallef, Jose Luis Armario Negrin. Subs not used: Michael Falzon, Godwin Mckay, Firas Aboulezz, Mark Spiteri, Juan Corbalan. Coach: Jesmond Zerafa TAR X IEN R AINBOWS Nicky Vella, Carlo Mamo, Manuel Caruana (71' Miguel Ciantar), Andrew Agius, Luca Martinelli (32' William Barbosa), Demba Toure, Ryan Sammut, Carlos Menendez Hevia, Karl Pulo, Josef Mifsud, Jorge Santos Silva. Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Steve Sadowski, Fernando Lopes Alcantara, Nigel Vella, Steve Bon- nici. Coach: Clive Mizzi Referee: Alan Mario Sant Assistant Referees: Chris Franca- lanza, Thomas Debono Fourth Of ficial: Andre Arciola Yellow Cards: Grima, Menendez, Mifsud, Bezzina, Scicluna Scorers: 29' Jose Luis Armario Negrin, 34' Lydon Micallef, 45+2' Demba Toure, 66' Demba Toure, 87' Jose Luis Armario Negrin.