balzanyouthsfc.net

17^th December 2011

Balzan Youths FC 2 - Zejtun Corinthians FC 1

Balzan Youths booked themselves a place with the last 16 teams in the U*Bet FA Trophy when they managed to beat Zejtun Corinthians with a dramatic late goal, in a hardly fought game.

The first action of the game came, on the 11^thminute, when Fagner Lins Bernardes's shot was cleared off the line by Nikolay Filipov. On the other side, two minutes later, Gers Delia incredibly shot high when he came face to face with goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone. On the 24^th minute, Balzan blocked the result. Miguel Ciantar's shot was partially held by goalkeeper Ranier Farrugia and from the rebound Pedro dos Santos Calcado placed the ball at the back of the net. The last action of the first half came a minute before time when Tabone partially saved an attempt by Gers Delia and from the rebound Kenneth Abela headed wide, with the goalkeeper out of his place.

Seven minutes after resumption Pedro Calcado shot from a distance but his effort finished just high. On the 55^th minute, Zejtun restored equilibrium when Gers Delia was served by Nikolay Filipov and in turn shot home, from an a acute angle in the middle of the box. Balzan was very near to go in front again when Pedro Calcado took a direct free-kick but Ranier Farrugia performed a fine save and turned it to a corner. On the 76^th minute, a conclusion by substitute Lydon Micallef was again turned to a corner by Farrugia. On the other side, Fredrick Tabone came out to save over another Delia attempt. On the 84^th minute, Bjorn Bondin was unlucky not to put Balzan ahead as his shot hit the crossbar and was deflected out, with goalkeeper Farrugia totally beaten. To the joy of Balzan supporters, as the game was destined to be going to extra time, substitute Lydon Micallef managed to dribble his way past Zejtun's defenders, rounded the goalkeeper and notched the winner.

BALZAN YOUTHS FC : Fredrick Tabone, Clifton Ciantar (Renie Forace 62') David Fenech, Yessous Camilleri, Jonathan Francica, Bledjon Guga, Bjorn Bondin, Dylan Grima, Pedro Calcado, Miguel Ciantar (Lydon Micallef 75'), Fagner Lins Bernardes (Silvan Ciscaldi 83').

ZEJTUN CORINTHIANS FC : Ranier Farrugia, Edward Azzopardi, Mathew Borg, Andre' Farrugia, Jesmar Abela, Nikolay Filipov, Kenneth Abela, Kalin Ganchev (Lyden Micallef 88'), Gers Delia, Wizam Elzaredi (Ryan Cauchi 90'), Charlo Magro.

Referee : Andre' Arciola