Balzan in semifinals after close encounter

Balzan Valletta 2 1

This Knock Out tie played at the Luxol Ground was watched by a sizeable crowd which braved the cold weather and were regaled with a fast and keen game by both sets of players. The game was ably controlled by referee Karl Beeston who was always up with play.

Balzan were the first to threaten as Zak Grech released Nathan Sciberras in the area but Valletta keeper Andre’ Spiteri foiled him with a timely sortie as he dived at his feet and smothered the ball.

At the other end, Orsom Mackay served Jeremy Micallef with a through ball on the right flank but the ball was cleared by a defender following his cross.

In Balzan’s next attack in the 7th minute they opened the score as Zak Grech served Brandon Mifsud with a through ball on the edge of the area and the latter scored with a hard rising shot in the top left hand corner.

Valletta then won a free kick after George Scerri was fouled on the right flank and Balzan keeper Dejan Agius was forced to fist the ball away after the free kick by Jeremy Micallef.

Another two actions were created by Balzan. Spiteri had to dive and save a free kick by Mifsud after Stefano Schembri was fouled on the left flank. Later, the same player failed to apply the killer touch with only Spiteri to beat after a Zak Grech perfect cross.

Valletta reacted and a flag kick by Sheldon Seychell was partly cleared outside the area but Hayden Sciberras drove slightly over the bar from the rebound. Micallef was then fouled outside the area and from the same player’s free kick the ball was cleared to a corner.

In another action by Balzan, Zak Grech released Schembri in the area and from a very ideal position he failed to make contact with the ball and a good opportunity was lost.

Five minutes before the break Balzan doubled their lead when Mifsud latched on to a long clearance inside Valletta’s half, entered the area unhindered and scored with a hard low drive.

Balzan created the first action after the resumption as Sciberras dribbled past an oponent on the right flank but Spiteri neutralised the ball following his low cross.

Valletta tried to get back in the game. Agius saved in two attempts a free kick by Larken Friggieri after Balzan defender Sean Mizzi handled the ball just outside the area. Friggieri then released Shaun Dimech in the area but a defender cleared the ball to a corner.

Moments later, a flag kick by substitute Jeanleon Cassar created havoc in Balzan’s area but the ball was somehow cleared away to safety. Valletta kept trying. Friggieri served Micallef with a through ball in the area but Agius saved his low drive.

Two minutes before the end of normal time, Spiteri brought the house down with a spectacular save as he dived and turned the ball to a corner after a hard drive by Mifsud from outside the area.

In the last minute of normal time, Valletta reduced the gap as Dimech served Friggieri with a through ball just outside the area and scored with a hard rising shot.

D.Agius, C.Zammit, Z.Grech, J.Vella Critien, S.Aquilina, N.Sciberras, B.Mifsud, S.Schembri, A.Calleja, S.Mizzi, L.Falzon

A.Spiteri, S.Zammit, O.Mackay, J.Micallef, R.Tonna, G.Scerri, M.Micallef, K.Scerri, S,Dimech, S.Seychell, H.P. Sciberras Karl Beeston