Balzan, Mosta share spoils in close encounter

Mosta Coach Peter Smith made three changes to the team which lost to Sliema as he replaced Yannick Ossok, Adrian Borg, and the injured Haruna Babangida with Mark Brincat, Tyrone Farrugia and Dyson Falzon.

Balzan had Gianmarco Piccioni and Bojan Kaljevic returning to the starting line-up.  The two replaced Samir Arab and Lydon Micallef while goalkeeper Steve Sultana was back in goal replacing Christian Cassar.

Mosta were in front after just seven minutes when goalkeeper Sultana partially saved a Grech effort and off the rebound, Nicoise put the ball into the net.

Balzan however had other ideas and drew level just three minutes later when Grima passed the ball towards Kaljeviv who beat keeper Omar Borg with a powerful drive.

On 30 minutes, Balzan almost went ahead when Piccioni unleashed a powerful shot which was pushed away for a corner by Borg.  Before the break, Zarate slid a low cross towards Kaljevic whose low drive ended on the side-netting.

Mosta almost scored themselves hitting Balzan on the counter attack when Nicoise exchanged the ball with Magro with Balzan defender Bezzina blocking his attempted effort in time.

Balzan threatened again three minutes later with Piccioni’s header being tipped away by Borg from a good Guerrero cross.

On 77 minutes, Mosta could have scored what potentially could have been the winner when Roberts unleashed a scorcher off the outside of this foot that swerved past Sultana with the ball ending just wide.