League

Siggiewi FC Stadium
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Lawrence Failla received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 3rd minute. Gianluca Stellini tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 5th match minute, Balzan was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Zach Apap to maneuver through the defense. In the 6th minute of the match Sean Gruppetta sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Evan Lia skillfully saved the ball. Kurt Vella received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 12th minute. Gianluca Stellini tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Edward Bigeni fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 15th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Evan Lia having to interfere. After 17 minutes of play, Siggiewi FC's Edward Bigeni made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Evan Lia was left in no man's land by his defense there! Edward Bigeni in the 23rdth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Evan Lia, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. An unexpected shot in the 24th minute by Adam Debono got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. In the 27th minute of the match, Edward Bigeni got a very nice opportunity to score, but Evan Lia was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Evan Lia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Adam Debono in the 30th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nathan Lauri in the 34th minute of play forced Siggiewi FC's goalkeeper Gianluca Stellini to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 36 minutes, Kurt Vella managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Balzan's supporters crossed their fingers, but Kurt Vella was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After some careless play in the Siggiewi FC defense, Kurt Vella kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Gianluca Stellini. The Siggiewi FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Gianluca Stellini should have stopped the shot. In the 41st minute Kurt Vella shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Gianluca Stellini saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Siggiewi FC's Mario Debono got a free kick in the 45th minute. After having played for 47 minutes, Lawrence Failla managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Balzan's supporters crossed their fingers, but Lawrence Failla was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Kurt Vella to make the kick off. Gianluca Stellini showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lawrence Failla in the 51st minute of the match. Lawrence Failla struck a weak shot in the 52nd minute. Gianluca Stellini didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Balzan. With his leg Gianluca Stellini managed to avoid a goal in the 61stth minute, when Balzan's Lawrence Failla fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. In the 62nd match minute, Siggiewi FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Michele Formosa to maneuver through the defense. Balzan's Giorgio Soler spiked a well placed long shot which went just inside the left pole, with no chance at all for Gianluca Stellini. Resulting in a 2-2 score after 63 minutes. 72 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 Siggiewi FC the free kick. In the 72nd match minute, Balzan was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nathan Lauri to maneuver through the defense. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Edward Bigeni in the 73rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Evan Lia saved Balzan from getting behind. After some fancy dribbling in the 76th minute, Edward Bigeni managed to get in a good position for a shot. Siggiewi FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Edward Bigeni 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. When Claudio Salerno fell near the penalty area in the 77th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Siggiewi FC's protests and gave Claudio Salerno a yellow card for diving instead. Claudio Salerno kicked well hit freekick during the 77th minute of the match. 81 minutes into the match, Siggiewi FC's goalkeeper Gianluca Stellini had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Lawrence Failla. In the 83rd minute, Balzan's Kurt Vella ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Gianluca Stellini. Gianluca Stellini yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 2-3. After 86 minutes of play Balzan's Nathan Lauri was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. Evan Lia stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Edward Bigeni's shot from short distance in the 87th minute. Edward Bigeni sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 93rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Balzan's goalkeeper Evan Lia, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Kurt Vella's late challenge caught a Siggiewi FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Kurt Vella helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Balzan getting a freekick after 94 minutes play. Kurt Vella hit a great ball. Balzan's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.