League

Balzan
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Keith Xuereb kicked off to start the match. The audience was convinced that Keith Xuereb's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Evan Lia was relentless in the 3rd minute of the game. Evan Lia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Keith Xuereb in the 5th minute of play. 6 minutes into the match, Balzan's goal looked a bit too open when Keith Xuereb came free, but Evan Lia reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 10 minutes into the game, Keith Xuereb was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Marsa FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Balzan the free kick. In the 10th minute, Keith Xuereb hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 12 minutes into the match, Balzan's goal looked a bit too open when Keith Xuereb came free, but Evan Lia reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 14th minute, Lawrence Failla hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With a little luck, Marsa FC's Tim Dimech got control of the ball when Lawrence Failla tried to sneak it across the goal line. Evan Lia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Keith Xuereb, who was totally free with the ball in the 19th minute. Balzan's Evan Lia played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Keith Xuereb in the 26th minute of play. 27 minutes into the match, Balzan's goal looked a bit too open when Keith Xuereb came free, but Evan Lia reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ben Lia charged in rather forcefully in the 34th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Ben Lia the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Evan Lia showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Keith Xuereb in the 43rd minute of the match. In the 45th minute, Keith Xuereb got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Marsa FC's Pierre Nappa got a good chance for a goal in the 46th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Keith Xuereb in the 48th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Evan Lia saved Balzan from getting behind. The Marsa FC fans' excitement grew in the 48th match minute when Marsa FC's Keith Xuereb looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. After the first half Marsa FC were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Kurt Vella to strike the kick off in the second half. After a defensive mix-up in Balzan's zone, Keith Xuereb stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Evan Lia came out of the goal and Keith Xuereb tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Keith Xuereb fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Evan Lia having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 56th minute, Pierre Nappa managed to get in a good position for a shot. Marsa FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Pierre Nappa was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Evan Lia breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. A collision led to Balzan getting a freekick after 57 minutes play. Dylan Mifsud hit a great ball. In the 59th minute, Kurt Vella hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Keith Xuereb had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 65th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, Balzan's Evan Lia got control of the ball when Pierre Nappa tried to sneak it across the goal line. Evan Lia stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Keith Xuereb's shot from short distance in the 68th minute. Balzan's Dylan Mifsud got his second yellow card of the match in the 76th minute. The referee ordered Dylan Mifsud off the ground. A collision led to Balzan getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Dylan Mifsud hit a great ball. Kurt Vella hit a great freekick 78 minutes into the match. Keith Xuereb received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Evan Lia came out and tried to block the shot, but Keith Xuereb slotted it home off the left post making it 0-3 in the 79th minute. After a rather tough play, Balzan's Lawrence Failla got a free kick in the 82nd minute. After a rather tough play, Marsa FC's Matthew Carabott got a free kick in the 86th minute. Balzan were furious when Aidan De Fremeaux was red carded, 88 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 88th minute of the game. One of Balzan:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Marsa FC:s goal. Balzan:s Evan Lia showed great skill when he stopped Ben Lia:s penalty. If Nathan Lauri had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Nathan Lauri fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Tim Dimech having to interfere. 98 minutes into the game, Nathan Lauri was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Balzan's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Marsa FC the free kick. After a rather tough play, Balzan's Nathan Lauri got a free kick in the 98th minute. Marsa FC's Keith Xuereb got a good chance for a goal in the 100th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Marsa FC's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.