balzanyouthsfc.net

21^st January 2012

Balzan Youths FC 0 - Floriana FC 1

U*Bet FA Trophy holders Floriana advanced to the quarterfinals of this competition when they managed to beat Balzan Youths with the result of 1 - 0. Missing from the first eleven of Balzan were goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri and midfielder Nikola Tasic. These were replaced by Fredrick Tabone and Fagner Lins Bernardes respectively.

As from the initial stages of the game, Floriana held the initiative and had the brighter ideas. On the 13^th minute they could have taken the lead when they were awarded a penalty as Anthony Eviparker fouled Ivan Woods in the area. From the spot Woods failed to transform as his shot hit the upright and was later cleared to safety. On the 15^th minute, in an isolated Balzan counter attack Pedro Calcado served Fagner Lins Bernardes but his shot went just out. A minute later Tabone saved over an attempt by Clyde Borg. On the 25^th minute, Christian Caruana sent an insidious cross but goalkeeper Tabone was there in time to punch the ball before Grabowski could connect. On the other side, on 28^th minute, Renie Forace served Bjorn Bondin but his insidious powerful shot, from outside the area, ended high. On the half hour Pedro Calcado had a try from outside the box but his shot finished just high. Although Floriana had more chances to goal they failed to block the result in the first half.

Floriana managed to take the lead on the 53^rdminute. A free-kick taken by Pablo Doffo, from just outside the box, caused a turmoil in the Balzan box as Renie Forace managed to partially clear an attempt by Andre' Grabowski but the same player hit home from the rebound. On the hour, Malcolm Licari served Christian Cassar who let fly a lethal shot that passed a few inches away from the upright. On the other side, three minutes later, Balzan were close to equalise when a free-kick taken by Pedro Calcado found Anthony Eviparker in an ideal position but his powerful shot just went high. Balzan had other attempts by Dylan Grima and Anthony Eviparker but their efforts did not materialise. Although Balzan increased their efforts they found it hard to threaten, as Floriana controlled the situation well and held on to their lead of 1 - 0 till the final whistle.

BALZAN YOUTHS FC : Fredrick Tabone, Bledjon Guga, Jonathan Francica, Yessous Camilleri, Renie Forace (Lydon Micallef 83'), Martin Deanov, Dylan Grima, Bjorn Bondin (David Fenech 40'), Fagner Lins Bernardes (Nikola Tasic 75'), Pedro Calcado, Anthony Eviparker.

FLORIANA FC : Manuel Bartolo, Eric Akoto, Owen Bugeja, Duncan Pisani, Manolito Micallef, Pablo Doffo, Christian Cassar (John Mintoff 87'), Christian Caruana, Andre' Grabowski, Ivan Woods, Clyde Borg (Malcolm Licari 46', Joseph Borg 84')

Referee : Fyodor Zammit