The Malta Independent on Sunday
Super Effiong gives Balzan FA Trophy and first silverware in their history
Simon Farrugia In an amazing match played at the National Stadium, Balzan wrote history when they won the FA Trophy for the first time after defeating Valletta following a penalty shoot out.
It was a match which had all the ingredients of a cup tie with Alfred ‘Poker’ Effiong being the toast of the town scoring all four Balzan goals. A win which also gives them Europa League participation next season.
Valletta have to be commended for never giving up and mounting a reaction when two goals down in extra time, saving the match and taking it to penalties.
Valletta went into this match chasing a hat trick of honours after winning the Premier League and the Super Cup. They were also looking to achieve another milestone which equals what Hamrun Spartans had done in the year 1987 when they achieved the double for two consecutive years.
After two runner-up finishes in two consecutive seasons 2016/17 and 2017/18 and losing the FA Trophy final in 2016 at Sliema Wanderers expense , Balzan were adamant that this would be the year for their first major honour.
During this season Balzan and Valletta met three times prior to this final with the Citizens always emerging as winners. Following a 4-1 win in the first round, Valletta defeated Balzan 2-1 lifting the BOV Super Cup before winning for the third time in the second round of the league with a 2-1 score.
This match was of particular interest for Hamrun Spartans who wanted a Valletta win which would have handed them a UEFA Europa League spot after finishing fourth in the Premier League.
Balzan went in search of an early goal and in the first minute a Bozovic long range shot was partially saved by Bonello with Effiong’s rebound being blocked into a corner. From the resultant kick by Correa Duarte a headed effort by Effiong was saved in style by Bonello.
This early pressure by Balzan reaped dividends as on 8 minutes they went in the lead. Bozovic took control of the ball after a blunder by Rowen Muscat and his pass found Alfred Effiong who rounded Steve Borg and slotted the ball into the corner of the net.
Valletta went near for the first time in the 27th minute when off a Jean Borg cross from the left Nwoko headed downwards towards Fontanella but the Valletta forward was ruled in an offside position.
The Citizens were now increasing their pressure and eight minutes from the end of the first half Malano played towards Fontanella who found Nwoko but the latter’s shot hit the side rigging.
But Valletta drew level in the 40th minute when Saleh played a ball in the area with Correa Duarte failing to control well and in came Enmy Pena Beltre who fired the ball into the net.
But the champions’ joy was short lived as on 43 minutes Balzan went in front once again and in controversial circumstances. A Steve Pisani shot was deflected by Steve Borg into Alfred Effiong’s path, but in an offside position, who converted. The assistant flagged for an offside but the referee over ruled him and the goal was convalidated with Valletta protesting hotly albeit in vain.
On the resumption Valletta were doing all the early running and in the 48th minute, off a Fontanella corner, a Malano header just missed the target. And in the 52nd minute Kaljevic found Fontanella whose shot from inside the area was blocked by Mintoff.
Balzan responded on 55 minutes through a Steve Pisani shot which was partially blocked by Bonello and from the rebound Ljubomirac blasted well over the bar.
A minute later Pena Beltre’s cross from the right found Fontanella who passed towards Kaljevic only for the latter to conclude wide when well positioned.