Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/782193
54 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2017 FOOTBALL Sergio Raphael Dos Anjos (Hamrun) and Bojan Kaljevic (Balzan) challenging each other for the ball Balzan squeeze past Spartans Balzan ......................... 1 Ħamrun Spartans ......... 0 WARREN ZAMMIT BALZAN returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Ħamrun Spartans as their hunt for glory continues. Ħamrun created the first oppor- tunity on goal after fifteen min- utes. Manolito Micallef Served Jake Grech who finished off target. Two minutes later, Balzan suf- fered a setback when they were forced to substitute Abdelkarim Nafti after suffering an injury. Ly- don Micallef took his place. Despite losing an experienced player, Balzan kept working hard and went ahead on the 23rd min- ute. Alfred Effiong sent a cross to- wards Alan Da Silva Souza whose first time shot gave David Cassar no chance. Bojan Kaljevic of Balzan had a good chance on the half hour mark. From a free kick, the Mon- tenegrin striker saw his effort go- ing slightly over. A minute late later, Da Silva Sou- za sent a shot from distance that went wide. The Spartans went close a min- ute into the second half. Substi- tute player Saturday Nanapere sent a cross towards debutant Mathieu Manset who acrobati- cally finished high. Balzan responded on the 48th minute. Effiong went inside the penalty area and hit a low shot that was neutralised by Cassar. Ħamrun nearly scored the equalising goal on the 52nd min- ute. From a free kick, Jake Grech sent a strong shot that hit the post and went wide. On the hour mark, Balzan ended up in ten men when Dylan Grima was shown his second yellow card after a foul on Saturday Nanapere. Jacque Scerri's side kept on look- ing for the equalising goal and had another good opportunity on the 69th minute. Nanapere went down the left flank and sent a cross inside the penalty area that was met by Karl Micallef whose effort was well saved by Ivan Jan- jusevic. Balzan had a chance to seal the issue on the 90th minute. Paul Fenech found Milos Lepovic in the penalty area and the latter's effort went off target. Balzan starting line-up: Ivan Jan- jusevic, Bruno Giglio De Oliveira, Bojan Kalkjevic, Samir Arab, Dy- lan Grima, Ryan Fenech, Alan Da Silva Souza, Abdelkarim Nafti, El- kin Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Alfred Effiong. Ħamrun Spartans starting line- up: David Cassar, Karl Micallef, Luke Grech, Sergio Raphael Dos Anjos, Luis Miguel Vergara Rod- riguez, Massimiliano Giusti, Manolito Micallef, Igor Misan, Luke Sciberras, Jake Grech, Mathieu Manset. Referee: Matthew Degabriele Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Christopher Francalanza Fourth Official: Etienne Man- gion BOV player of the match: Paul Fenech (Balzan) PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG