Drab encounter ends all square

Simon Farrugia

Balzan failed to gain maximum points from their match against Mosta with the match ending goaless. Balzan dominated the proceedings but were rather erratic in front on goal missing clear cut chances which in the end proved costly.

Balzan had Jacques Scerri making his debut on the bench and they dropped another two points, minimizing their challenge for a place in Europe next summer. For them this was their fourth draw from their last seven matches and are now on level points with Birkirkara though the latter with a match in hand.

On the other hand Mosta continued to gain momentum this being their fourth consecutive positive result from their last five outing. But with Senglea’s fourth consecutive win they are now on level points with the Cottonera outfit.

The first goalmouth action materialized in the fifth minute when off a De Fiori Mendes free kick the ball came in Majdevac path but his lack if promptness to conclude resulted in Mosta goalkeeper Andreas Vella blocking.

Play was restricted for long stretches in the midfield area and it was only three minute from the end of the first half that Balzan threatened once again.

Bozovic made his way past three defenders, passed towards Majdevac who from his part set De Fiori Mendes. The latter squared the ball towards Alfred Effiong with his cross finding Ljubomirac who with only Vella to beat blasted over the bar.

That was all that both teams had to offer in an entire forty five minutes play with the first half ending goaless.

Balzan started brightly the second half and in the 52nd minute off a De Fiori Mendes cross Majdevac must consider himself rather unlucky when his headed effort hit the crossbar.

Another chance came Balzan’s way in the 70th minute when the energetic De Fiori Mendes tried his luck with a shot from the distance which missed out. And five minutes laterBalzan had a double chance to break the deadlock.

De Fiori Mendes passed in Majdevac direction who from an ideal position saw his shot partially saved by Vella, the rebound came LydonMicallef’s way who with only the Mosta goalkeeper to beat had his shot saved by Vella.

Mosta defended well till the final whistle and they be commanded for their tactical organization.

They practically never ventured forward but grabbed another valuable point in their quest to try and avoid the drop once again. The going is getting tough and it seems that the relegation issue will go down to the wire. Photos: Trevor Sollars