Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/281887
50 FOOTBALL maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 MARCH 2014 Sport SPORTTODAY Mosta come back from behind to defeat Balzan Balzan .................... 2 Mosta .................... 4 MOSTA turned defeat into victory after they fought back from two goals down to defeat Balzan 4-2. Both teams struggled to produce good scoring chances in the first half and Balzan managed to take the lead on the 40th minute. Off a cross by Justin Grioli, Ryan Darmanin tapped the ball in goal past goalkeeper Omar Borg. The start of the second half was not what Mosta wanted as Balzan doubled their lead just after six minutes. Off a pass by Edison Bilbao Zarate, Ryan Darmanin beat the Mosta goalkeeper with his precise shot to make the score 2-0. Mosta managed to get back in the match on the 67th minute when they reduced Balzan's lead. Off a cross by James Brincat, Diego Pereira headed the ball towards Bojan Kaljevic who then beat goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo with his shot. Mosta were now on the attack and they scored the equaliser on the 70th minute. Diego Pereira went close to scoring when his shot hit the wood- work. Immediately afterwards from another cross by Manolito Micallef hit the crossbar and off the rebound, Pereira would not miss his chance to make it 2-2. On the 78th minute, Mosta took the lead for the first time in the match. A shot by Cristian Martins Fernandes left no chance for goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo. In added time, Mosta made sure they secured victory when Balzan failed to clear a pass by Pereira and Manolito Micallef made no mistake with his powerful shot to make the final score 4-2. BALZAN Manuel Bartolo, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina, Andrew Sci- cluna, Lucas Ramon dos Santos, Fabio Vignaroli, Ryan Darmanin, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Pedro dos Santos Cal- cado, Lydon Micallef (85' Mark Spi- teri), Jose Luis Armario Negrin (69' Luke Sciberras). Subs not used: Michael Falzon, Jacob Cipriott, Firas Aboulezz, Shaun Buge- ja, Charlie Fuller. Coach: Paul Zammit MOSTA Omar Borg, Mark Brincat, Ishmael Grech, Kurt Zammit (55' James Brincat), Manolito Micallef, Bojan Kaljevic, Jonas Rodriguez Eka- ni, Ian Zammit, Antonio Carrozza, Cristian Martins Fernandes (88' Kyle Frendo), Ricardo Silva Faria (46' Diego Pereira) Subs not used: Emmanuel Borg, Steve Schembri, Isaac Chircop, Giancarlo Sammut. Coach: Enrico Piccioni Referee: Tim Marshall (NIR) Assistant Referees: Jonathan Thomp- son, Gavin Hagherty (NIR) Fourth Official: Keith Kennedy (NIR) Yellow Cards: Calcado, Kaljevic Scorers: 40' R. Darmanin (B), 51' R. Darmanin (B), 67' B. Kaljevic (M), 70 D. Pereira (M), 78 C. M.Martins (M), 90+2' M. Micallef (M) BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Dar- manin Naxxar Lions ................ 3 Vittoriosa Stars ............ 3 Naxxar and Vittoriosa played a thrilling match that ended in a 3-3 draw. With this result, Naxxar remain three points ahead of Vittoriosa in their battle to avoid the drop. Naxxar took the lead after nine min- utes of play. Off a freekick by Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro that hit the Vitto- riosa's defensive wall, Andre Rocha da Silva directed a perfect overhead kick past goalkeeper Mario Muscat. Vittoriosa leveled matters on the 35th minute. Off a freekick by Oscar Guerrero, Clive Brincat's header beat goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi. Five minutes into the second half, Vittoriosa took the lead. Gilbert Mar- tin advanced on the left before passing towards Oscar Guerrero with the lat- ter easily shooting past Azzopardi. Vittoriosa made it 3-1 on the 72nd minute thanks to a penalty. Marcelo Pereira was brought down inside the area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Oscar Guerrero easily converted to make the score 3-1. While Vittoriosa thought they were heading for victory, Naxxar were not finished yet. On the 84th minute, goalkeeper Mario Muscat brought Milan Vignjevic down inside the area and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Victor Bellia beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat from the penalty spot to make the score 3-2. Three minutes later Naxxar were awarded another penalty when Samir Arab handled the ball inside the area. This time it would be David Alejandro Reano who would beat Muscat from the penalty spot. NAXXAR LIONS Julian Azzoaprdi, Raimi Bakare, Victor Bellia, Ryan Gilmour Cassar (80' Jurgen Debono), Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, John Debono (80' Terence Scerri), Kurt Drago, Daren Falzon, David Alejandro Reano, An- dre Rocha da Silva, Filip Stojanovic (63'Milan Vignjevic). Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Ryan Mercieca, Yaron Sammut, Joel Ellul. Coach: Winston Muscat VITTORIOSA STARS Mario Mus- cat, Luke Vella Critien, Leonardo Tor- ri, Carl Sammut (76' Seydou Bamba), Samir Arab, Gilbert Martin (68' Siraj Arab), Oscar Guerrero, Clive Spiteri, Marcelo Pereira (90' Sheldon Grech), Clive Brincat, Francisco Arriagada Mella. Subs not used: Sean Cini, Ryan Mif- sud, Mark Barbara, Malcolm Butti- gieg. Coach: Oliver Spiteri Referee: Clayton Pisani Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, William Debattista Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri Yellow Cards: Reano, Gilmar Vella Critien, Guerrero, Torri, Muscat, Brin- cat, Siraj Arab, Drago Naxxar and Vittoriosa entertain in six-goal thriller