Mosta come back from behind to defeat Balzan

Both teams struggled to produce  good scoring chances in the first half and Balzan managed to take the lead on the 40th minute. Off a cross by Justin Grioli, Ryan Darmanin tapped the ball in goal past goalkeeper Omar Borg.

The start of the second half was not what Mosta wanted as Balzan doubled their lead just after six minutes. Off a pass by Edison Bilbao Zarate, Ryan Darmanin beat the Mosta goalkeeper with his precise shot to make the score 2-0.

Mosta managed to get back in the match on the 67th minute when they reduced Balzan’s lead. Off a cross by James Brincat, Diego Pereira headed the ball towards Bojan Kaljevic who then beat goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo with his shot.

Mosta were now on the attack and they scored the equaliser on the 70th minute. Diego Pereira went close to scoring when his shot hit the woodwork. Immediately afterwards from another cross by Manolito Micallef hit the crossbar and off the rebound, Pereira would not miss his chance to make it 2-2.

On the 78th minute, Mosta took the lead for the first time in the match. A shot by Cristian Martins Fernandes left no chance for goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo.

In added time, Mosta made sure they secured victory when Balzan failed to clear a pass by Pereira and Manolito Micallef made no mistake with his powerful shot to make the final score 4-2.

BALZAN Manuel Bartolo, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina, Andrew Scicluna, Lucas Ramon dos Santos, Fabio Vignaroli, Ryan Darmanin, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Lydon Micallef (85′ Mark Spiteri), Jose Luis Armario Negrin (69′ Luke Sciberras).

Subs not used: Michael Falzon, Jacob Cipriott, Firas Aboulezz, Shaun Bugeja, Charlie Fuller.

Coach: Paul Zammit

MOSTA Omar Borg, Mark Brincat, Ishmael Grech, Kurt Zammit (55′ James Brincat), Manolito Micallef, Bojan Kaljevic, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Ian Zammit, Antonio Carrozza, Cristian Martins Fernandes (88′ Kyle Frendo), Ricardo Silva Faria (46′ Diego Pereira)

Subs not used: Emmanuel Borg, Steve Schembri, Isaac Chircop, Giancarlo Sammut.

Coach: Enrico Piccioni

Referee: Tim Marshall (NIR)

Assistant Referees: Jonathan Thompson, Gavin Hagherty (NIR)

Fourth Official: Keith Kennedy (NIR)

Yellow Cards: Calcado, Kaljevic

Scorers: 40’ R. Darmanin (B), 51’ R. Darmanin (B), 67’ B. Kaljevic (M), 70 D. Pereira (M), 78 C. M.Martins (M), 90+2’ M. Micallef (M)

BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Darmanin