Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/897139
maltatoday SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017 53 FOOTBALL Sports Late goals secure Balzan victory Spartans send Naxxar packing Birkirkara ..................1 Balzan .......................2 WARREN ZAMMIT BALZAN started well in their match against Birkirkara, and were denied by David Cassar in the first five minutes. Alfred Ef- fiong went past two defenders and hit a powerful drive that was tipped behind by Birkirkara's shot stopper. Cassar was on the alert once more on the 8th minute. Justin Grioli sent a stunning shot from distance that forced another great save from the twenty-nine year old goalkeeper. Birkirkara responded on the 21st minute and this time it was Ivan Janjusevic who showed good re- flexes to deny Jake Grech. On the half-hour mark, Car- los Eduardo De Fiori Mendes of Balzan sent a shot from outside the penalty area that sailed wide. The stripes threatened again on the 35th minute. Grech received the ball on the right side of the penalty area and hit a low shot that was parried by Janjusevic. Birkirkara broke the deadlock on the 42nd minute. Following a cross by Carlos Alberto Da Silva Concalves, Grech served Matthew Guillaumier and the latter placed the ball inside the net from close range. In the additional time given by the referee prior to half time, Griolo delivered a cross in the direction of De Fiori Mendes whose header went centimetres off target. A minute later, De Fiori Mendes received the ball inside the goal area and sent another header that was neutralised by Cassar. Confusion took place three min- utes into the second half when Bojan kaljevic was brought down by Kurt Zammit and the referee signalled a penalty. However, after harsh protests from Birkirkara players, the ref- eree discussed with his assistant and changed the decision for a free-kick as it seemed that the foul took place outside of the penalty area. The next chance goal was creat- ed by Balzan on the 74th minute. Grioli's cross was met by Kaljevic whose header was saved by Cas- sar. On the 81st minute, Bruno Gilio de Oliveira of Balzan fired a shot from a free-kick that ended up wide. Balzan equalised two minutes later. Following a long ball inside the penalty area, Kaljevic antici- pated Cassar and headed inside the net. The drama continued as Balzan forged ahead on the 87th minute. De Fiori Mendes hit a strong shot from a free-kick that went behind Cassar. Birkirkara replied a minute later. Carlos Alberto Da Silva Concalves saw his shot from a free-kick go- ing high. Paul Zammit's side created their last opportunity in the additional time. Llyelwlyn Cremona's effort from inside the penalty area end- ed up over. Birkirkara starting line-up: David Cassar, Cain Attard, Kurt Zammit, Lucas Verone Maia, Nikola Vukanac, Matthew Guil- laumier (Llyewlyn Cremona -63), Mislav Andelkovic, Ryan Scicluna, Jake Grech (Ryan Ca- menzuli -65), Carlos Allberto Da Silva Concalves Alves, Fabi- ano Montero De Oliveira (Luke Montebello – 80) Balzan starting line-up: Ivan Janjusevic, Justin Grioli (Milos Lepovic – 75), Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Ryan Fenech (Michael Johnson – 90), Bojan Kaljevic, Bruno Gilio de Olivei- ra, Paul Fenech, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes, Samir Arab (Steven Bezzina – 44) Referee: Glen Tonna Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Ryan Aquilina Fourth Official: Ishmael Bar- bara Yellow Cards: Kurt Zammit (Birkirkara), Matthew Gail- laumier (Birkirkara), Lucas Ve- rone Maia (Birkirkara), Carlos Alberto Da Silva Concalves (Birkirkara), Fabiano Montero De Oliveira (Birkirkara), Ryan Fenech (Balzan), Nikola Vu- kanac (Balzan), Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes (Balzan), ly we- lyn Cremona (Birkirkara) BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara) Ħamrun Spartans .......2 Naxxar Lions ..............0 ĦAMRUN Spartans bounced back from their defeat against Sliema with a 2-0 win over Naxxar Lions. The Spartans went ahead on the 39th minute. Cristian Zaccardo sent an ex- cellent pass towards Francisco Marino Clavero who finished behind Christoph Nicht from inside the penalty area. Ħamrun made it 2-0 on the 64th min- ute. Terrence Agius served Thiago Es- pindola and the latter finished inside the net. Ħamrun Spartans starting line-up: Jake Galea, Jose Marinho, Daniel Zer- afa, Terence Agius, Triston Caruana, Cristian Zaccardo, Lydon Micallef, Thiago Espindola de Paula, Francisco Marino Clavero, Dale Camilleri, Pedro Henrique Oliveira Naxxar Lions starting line-up: Chris- toph Nicht, Scott Fenwick, Ryan Grech, Duane Bonnici, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Daniel Mateo Bustos, Mark Fenech, Ouin Ndoye, Adrian Cascaval, Arnaud Mendy, Jesus Messias Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann Assistant referees: Roberto Vella, Peter Abela Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia BOV Player of the Match: Francisco Marino Clavero (Ħamrun Spartans) Balzan scored two late goals that saw them beating Birkirkara 2-1 PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG