Valletta-Birkirkara 1-1
A good reaction by Valletta in the last half an hour of a game saved a point in a direct clash against Birkirkara. All in all it was a balanced game with Birkirkara having the initiative in the first hour, but they weren’t superior.
With this result, both teams failed to return to winning ways as Birkirkara lost to Pembroke in their previous game while Valletta lost to Hibernians, as league leaders Balzan now are in a more comfortable spot on top.
Both teams studied each other in the first half an hour of the game as both goalkeepers had a quiet first half. The first threat came after 33 minutes from a good run by Jonathan Caruana who crossed to Falcone. The striker controlled the ball and tried with a shot from distance but his effort finished well over the bar.
Two minutes later, Birkirkara thought that have opened the score from Frank Temile after scoring from close range but the flag had risen for offside. Temile tried again on the 39th minute but his volley finished off target.
Birkirkara conscious of the fact that they were slightly better, started the second half searching for the goal and three minutes into the second half Gareth Sciberras laid Srdan Dimitrov who tried with a powerful shot but Bonello blocked the shot.
The Stripes took the lead on the 50th minute when from a corner by Dimitrov, Cain Attard beat Henry Bonello with a firsttime shot that hit the upright before entering the net.
Romeu Romao tried with a shot five minutes later that was deflected to a corner and four minutes later Dimitrov wasted a good opportunity after receiving a good pass behind the defence. A minute later on the other end, Jhonnattann tried with an acrobatic shot that finished over the bar.
The Citizens equalised on the 66th minute when Jhonnattann Benites beat Kopric with a tricky free-kick. Birkirkara were surprised by this goal and two minutes later they had to continue with a 10 men as Predrag Jovic was shown marching orders.
Valletta increased their efforts and on the 73rd minute Falcone tried with a low shot that was saved by Kopric. Three minutes later Kopric denied Falcone again this time with a brilliant header after a cross by Mifsud. Jhonnattann Benites had two actions on the 79th with a shot on target that Kopric saved and three minutes later an effort hit the crossbar as Birkirkara held on in the final minutes.
Report Stewart Said, Photos Domenic Aquilina
Mosta-Hamrun 2-5
Two confirmations arose from this encounter as Hamrun Spartans emerged as clear winners in a sided affair to confirm their status that they are in the BOV Premier League to finish as high as possible in the table. The other confirmation came for Mosta as they are still searching to find their feet with their practically new squad.
Foreigners Nanapere and Garba had a very positive game as they practically were dangerous ever time they touched the ball while Giusti and Jake Grech also had a good game.
Coach Steve D’Amato made two changes from the draw against Floriana as Luke Grech and Giusti started instead of Glenn Azzopardi and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza respectively.
It took only six minutes for Hamrun to take the lead. Djoufack cleared partially a cross by Nanapere, the loose ball finished in the direction of Haruna Garba who scored with a brilliant shot from outside the box.
The Spartans doubled the lead six minutes later. A free-kick by Jake Grech beat Cini but hit the crossbar and from the rebound Jorge Mesqueu Neto headed in the net without much difficulty. The game already had a direction where it was going.
In fact on the 27th minute, Giusti could have tripled the lead with a good personal action in the penalty area, but his final shot was blocked in time. But on the half hour mark, Hamrun scored the third goal as Haruna Garba made a good run from the left flank and crossed a low ball to Jake Grech who made no mistake from metres away.
Mosta’s reaction didn’t come and Hamrun kept attacking, taking advantage of the enormous space left in the Mosta defence. Six minutes later Nanapere and Garba created another attack, but the shot from the striker was blocked in time by Vella.
Steve D’Amato’s team scored the fourth goal in the stoppage time of the first half when from a well take corner by Grech, Haruna Garba rose above his opponents and scored a goal that seemed to be difficult.
The game reduced its rhythm in the second half but the goals kept coming as it was Mosta who reduced the margin with their first shot on target on the 49th minute as Kemar Reid beat Matthew Farrugia with a low shot that hit the upright before crossing the line.
Hamrun almost regained their advantage two minutes later with another action by Nanapere who crossed in the penalty area in the direction of Giusti who headed the ball but Yenz Cini made a brilliant save with his feet.
More action coming from Hamrun after the hour mark as Nanapere took advantage from an indecision by Djoufack but his powerful shot hit the upright. The Spartans scored another goal on the 72nd minute when Nanapere was fouled in the penalty area by Emerson Vella. From the penalty spot Jake Grech scored with a low shot on his right side.
Report Stewart Said, Photos Domenic Aquilina
Hibernians 1
Gzira U. 1
Hibernians: A. Hogg, R. Soares, M. Dias, J. de Lima Siqueira, B. Kristensen, J. Da Silva Pereira (J. Varea), R. Telles (A. Cohen), J. Bezzina, J. Mbong, J. Degabriele, A. Agius.
Gzira U.: J. Borg, J. Da Silva Santos (JC Corbolan), G. Conti, A. Machedo Neto, R. De Pinho de Souza (Y. Tonna), J. Bondin, M. Avila Perez, J. Borg, Z. Scerri (A. White), S. Diamoutene, EA Costa Morais.
Referee: C. Pisani.
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, E. Spiteri.
4th official: M. Spiteri.
Scorers: EA Costa Morais, J. Degabriele,
Yellow cards: A. Machedo Neto, S. Diamoutene, M. Dias, B. Kristensen, G. Conti
Player of the match: B. Kristensen
TMI Top 3: 1. S. Diamoutene, 2. B. Kristensen, 3. J. Bezzina.
Attendance: 697.
Hibernians dropped two important points yesterday as a determined Gzira side held them to a 1-1 draw.
The Paolites paid dearly for a disappointing first half performance during which they suffered a goal and were put seriously to the test by the Maroons’ fast forwards.
At the end, they had to settle for a draw which keeps them on 13 points, a good six away from leaders Balzan. Gzira move on to the nine-point mark.
Branko Nisevic’s outfit was well organised and gave the Paolites a lot of food for thought before they eventually took the lead.
In Morais, Avila Perez and da Silva Santos, they had three skilful players who provided the Hibs defence with a number of anxious moments.
The Paolites had a steady midfield with Kristensen and Bezzina distributing the ball intelligently. Unfortunately, Jorge Pereira was somewhat isolated up front and made little impact on the compact Gzira defence, ably led by central defender Diamoutene.
At the end of the half, the Maroons were sitting pretty leading their more illustrious opponents by a solitary goal from Ellinton Costa Morais.
In the second half, as Cohen took his place in the Hibs side, things appeared to go for the better for the Paolites who scored an equaliser quickly.
But Gzira defended stubbornly – led by a superb Diamoutene - and managed to keep their opponents at bay although they passed through several anxious moments.
Gzira were first in action on the fifth minute. From a Costa Marais cross, the ball went to Gianmarco Conti whose shot at goal was blocked by a Hibs defender.
Hibs’ first real attack on 17 minutes, Kristensen beautifully set up Jorge Pereira in the Gzira area. Goalie Borg partially blocked his attempt, the ball went out to Jackson Lima, but Borg again came to his side’s rescue as he managed to punch the ball away to safety.
It was Gzira who broke the ice on the 28th minute. Moises Avila Perez set Costa Morais in the Hibs area and the latter scored with an unstoppable rising shot, beating Hogg all ends up.
Soon after, at the other end, a Jackson Lima freekick passed across the Gzira goal, finishing in a corner, from which Jorge Pereira header went just over the crossbar.
Four minutes later, Gzira had another opportunity, but a da Silva Santos effort went too high over the Hibs post.
In the 34th minute, Hibs went closest to an equaliser through a Pereira freekick which skimmed the upright.
In added first half time, Hibs again went close with a fine 30-metre effort from Johann Bezzina which just missed the target.
Hibs mentor Mark Miller introduced veteran Andrew Cohen at the start of the second half and things started to improve for the Paolites.
It was no surprise that they quickly equalised just three minutes into the half. It was Jorginho Pereira who passed to Jurgen Degabriele whose first timer gave Jurgen Borg no chance.
In the 63rd minute, a fine move by Bezzina ended with a cross to Cohen, who controlled the ball well only for his effort to hit the side netting.
In the 78th minute, substitute Varea found Bezzina unmarked in the area, but the shot was blocked to corner.
Hibs missed a glorious chance to take the lead on the 86th minute when Varea set Cohen in the area. The latter crossed low for the unmarked Degabriele who flicked the ball into the grateful hands of goalie Borg from two metres out.
Two minutes later, the same Degabriele was unlucky to see his effort going straight at goalie Borg after he cleverly went round two defenders.
On the 90th minute, from a low Lima freekick, it was Johann Bezzina who lifted the ball just over the post.
It proved to be the Paolites’ last chance in their efforts to get the winner.
Report Henry Brincat
Balzan 3
St Andrews 0
Balzan: C. Cassar, B. Kaljevic, B. Gilio de Oliveira, S. Bezzina, L. Micallef (A. Da Silva Souza), P. Fenech, M. Piciollo (D. Grima), S. Arab, A. Nafti, EO Serrano Valero, T. Agius
St Andrews: J. Galea, M. Johnson, K. Kesinovic, BW Che, F. Udoh, E. Pena Beltre, K. Nwoko (R. Darmanin), J. Farrugia (I. Paz), D. Brandle (J. Walker), Z. Kastrevec, D. Camilleri.
Referee: S. Pace
Assistant refs: C. Francalanza, D. Castillo.
4th official: M. Apap.
Scorers: A. Nafti, P. Fenech, B. Kaljevic pen.,
Yellow cards: BW Che, B Kaljevic,
Player of the match: Paul Fenevch
TMI Top 3: 1. P. Fenech, 2. A. Nafti, 3. T. Agius
Balzan consolidated their leadership of the Premier League yesterday evening as they overcame St Andrews’ challenge to emerge easy winners.
It was a routine win for Oliver Spiteri’s side as they secured another three points in their run towards a serious challenge for the Premier League title this season.
For the Saints, it was an uphill task after Balzan took the lead on 13 minutes. They fought hard in the first half, but their efforts never yielded the desired results.
And when Balzan scored two other goals near the end of the first half and at the start of the second, the match was as good as over.
Balzan now have 19 points from seven matches, while the Saints remain anchored on the six-point mark, just above bottom placed Pembroke who have three points.
The league leaders were certainly a superior outfit but the Saints tried their best to keep them at bay apart from going at their opponents whenever they got the opportunity.
However, they were found wanting up front as goalie Cassar was only tested seriously on one occasion.
In the second half, the Saints went out in search of a goal to try and get back into the match, but Balzan had other ideas and after scoring a third goal from a penalty, there was never any doubt as to where the points were going, even if they failed to add more goals to their tally.
The first action arrived on six minutes, when from a Farrugia corner, Che headed well over the bar from an ideal position.
Balzan broke the deadlock on 13 minutes when in their first real foray, it was Nafti who hit hard from the edge of the area to beat goalie Galea all ends up.
Three minutes later Kaljevic was set beautifully by Nafti in the Saints area, but his shot was deviated to an abortive corner.
At the other end, Farrugia set Kastrevec, but the latter’s effort went over the bar.
St Andrews went close to equalising in the 42nd minute with goalie Cassar out of position. First it was Daniel Brandle who saw goalie Cassar turning to corner with difficulty. From the resultant cornerkick, a melee ensued in the Balzan area and Kyrian Nwoko saw his semi-rovesciata just missing the target.
Instead the goal arrived at the other end on the 45th minute. It was Paul Fenech who scored a beauty from about 25 metres, the ball hitting the post before entering the net.
Before the interval whistle, the Saints protested for a penalty when a Kastrevec effort seemed to have hit a Balzan defender’s hands, but the official, close to the action, only awarded a cornerkick.
St Andrews started the second half on attack and from a Farrugia corner kick, it was Johnson who headed over the bar.
Balzan were awarded a penalty in the 57th minute when Piciollo was floored in the area by Johnson. From the resultant spotkick, Kaljevic made no mistake to put his team further in command.
From then on, Balzan refrained from pressing upwards as the Saints tried in vain to score a consolation goal.
In the 80th minute, Nwoko had a good chance to reduce the gap, but he hit the side netting.
At the other end, it was goalie Galea who denied substitute Da Silva Souza as he rushed out of his charge to block the latter’s incursion.
Report Henry Brincat