Balzan register important victory

The first half had very few scoring opportunities and remained goalless.

Roderick Bajada almost scored for Qormi six minutes into the match when his attempt on goal went just over the crossbar.

Balzan's Edison David Zarate Bilbao had his shot neutralised by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia on the seventh minute.

Balzan took the lead on the 54th minute. Pedro Calcado served Edison Bilbao and the latter's cross was intercepted by Luis Armario Negrin who then beat goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia with his shot.

Qormi continued to dominate the match and made sure Balzan's pressure to score the equaliser was neutralised.

Qormi's chances to score the equaliser were practically over when referee Clayton Pisani sent Owen Bugeja off for dissent.

BALZAN Manuel Bartolo, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina, Lucas Ramon Dos Santos, Andrew Scicluna, Kurt Magro, Pedro Henrique dos Santos Calcado, Edison David Zarate Bilbao, Lydon Micallef (79' Mark Spiteri), Dylan Grima, Jose' Luis Armario Negrin (83' Luke Sciberras).
Subs not used: Michael Falzon, Godwin McKay, Ryan Darmanin, Gianfranco Micallef, Firas Aboulezz.
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Owen Bugeja, Jonathan Bondin (44' Emerson Vella), Roderick Bajada, Leighton Grech, Triston Caruana, Roderick Sammut, Christian Terrible, Alfred Effiong, Gianluca Nocera (65' Abudulai Issaka), Duncan Pisani.
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Terence Abela, George Portelli, Leonardo Gabrieli, Dylan Pirotta.
Coach: Karel Zeman

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Paul Apap.
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant
Yellow Cards: P. Calcado, C. Terrible, T. Caruana, A. Effiong, E. Zarate
Red Card: 87' Owen Bugeja (Q)
Scorers: 54' Jose Luis Armario Negrin
BOV Player of the Match: Pedro Henrique Dos Santos Calcado (Balzan)