Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/817563
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 APRIL 2017 49 Sport SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL Balzan .......................... 1 Ħamrun Spartans ......... 1 WARREN ZAMMIT BALZAN paid harshly for missing a penalty and plenty of opportuni- ties as they were held in a 1-1 draw by Ħamrun Spartans. The Spartans had a good oppor- tunity to open the score on the 6th minute. Massimiliano Giusti went running inside the penalty area and hit a low shot that was well saved by Christian Cassar. Balzan replied by going ahead on the 13th minute. From a free kick, Bojan Kaljevic hit a wonderful shot that gave David Cassar no chance. Ħamrun replied immediately and equalised four minutes later. Jake Grech sent a long ball towards Mathieu Manset who hit a close range shot past Cassar. On the 21st minute, Kaljevic tried to put his side ahead once more, but his shot was saved by Cassar. Balzan had another opportunity on the 25th minute. Matteo Picollo fired a shot from distance that went high. David Cassar was on the alert to deny Balzan on the 38th minute. Lydon Micallef delivered the ball towards Alfred Effiong and the Balzan forward hit a strong shot that forced a good save from the Ħamrun goalkeeper. Four minutes later, Balzan had a golden opportunity to regain the lead. Cassar brought down Sean Cipriott inside the penalty area and the referee ordered a penalty. How- ever, from the eleven metres mark, Kaljevic finished wide. Balzan nearly went ahead four minutes into the second half. Fol- lowing a cross, Cassar mistimed his challenge and the ball fell for Micallef whose header was cleared off the line by Manolito Micallef. Oliver Spiteri's side lost another great opportunity on the 56th minute. Micallef received the ball inside the penalty area and de- livered it towards Kaljevic whose shot from inside the goal area was tipped behind by Cassar. Ħamrun responded three min- utes later. Following a fast counter attack, Massimiliano Giusti fired a strong shot that was blocked by Cassar. The ball fell for Manset who finished off target. On the 75th minute, Ħamrun lost an excellent chance to go ahead. Giusti sent Leandro Wallace Motta Dos Santos through on goal and the latter finished wide with just the keeper to beat. Following this result, Hibernians will be crowned champions today if they manage to secure a win against St. Andrews. Balzan starting line-up: Christian Cassar, Bruno Giglio De Oliveira, Matteo Piciollo, Lydon Micallef, Sean Cipriott, Clive Brincat, Alfred Effiong, Bojan Kaljevic, Anderson De Barros, Terence Agius, Elkin Serrano Valero Ħamrun Spartans starting line- up: David Cassar, Glenn Azzo- pardi, Manolito Micallef, Sergio Raphael Dos Anjos, Igor Misan, Luke Grech, Mesqueu Neto Jorge, Luke Sciberras, Jake Grech, Mathieu Manset, Massimiliano Giusti Referee: Glen Tonna Assistant Referees: Martin Borg, Christopher Azzopardi Additional Assistant Referees: Clayton Pisani, Sandro Spiteri Fourth Official: Sammy Attard BOV Player of the Match: Lydon Micallef (Balzan) Balzan held by Hamrun PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG