League

Astra Arena
Spectators: 8680 (Terracing: 6500, Seating: 2000, VIP seats: 180) Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Sean Haber in the 6th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Bertrand Engerer prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Jeremy Ciliberti's late challenge caught a Ad Astra's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Jeremy Ciliberti helped the player get up and apologised. After 6 played minutes Balzan Rainbows got a freekick which was hit by Jeremy Ciliberti. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sean Haber in the 14th minute of play forced Balzan Rainbows's goalkeeper Bertrand Engerer to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 18 played minutes Ad Astra got a freekick which was hit by Antoine Muscat. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Neville Degiorgio during the 21st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Neville Degiorgio hit a great freekick 21 minutes into the match. Sean Haber's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Bertrand Engerer read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 27th minute of play. Neville Degiorgio received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 31st minute. Ryan Xiberras tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 35 minutes into the game, Ad Astra's Sean Haber nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Bertrand Engerer made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. If Luke Attard had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Sean Haber in the 41st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Bertrand Engerer saved Balzan Rainbows from getting behind. 44 minutes into the match, Balzan Rainbows's goal looked a bit too open when Sean Haber came free, but Bertrand Engerer reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Sean Haber received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 47th minute. Bertrand Engerer tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-0.

In the 53rd minute, Sean Haber 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. Ryan Xiberras made a fantastic save in the 59th minute, when Colin Cini sent off a good shot on target. When Antoine Muscat fell near the penalty area in the 64th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Ad Astra's protests and gave Antoine Muscat a yellow card for diving instead. In the 64th minute, Antoine Muscat hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 68 minutes into the game, Sean Haber cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 3-0. Bertrand Engerer was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sean Haber in the 76th minute of play forced Balzan Rainbows's goalkeeper Bertrand Engerer to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 80th minute, Sean Haber managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ad Astra's supporters rose to their feet, but Sean Haber was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Bertrand Engerer breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 81 played minutes Balzan Rainbows got a freekick which was hit by Jeremy Ciliberti. 82 minutes into the match, Ad Astra's Sean Haber sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Bertrand Engerer narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Balzan Rainbows's zone, Luke Attard stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bertrand Engerer came out of the goal and Luke Attard tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Luke Attard hit a great freekick 88 minutes into the match. Sean Haber sent away a hard shot on goal in the 92nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Luke Attard fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 93rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Bertrand Engerer having to interfere. Bertrand Engerer took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sean Haber, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the referee ended the match the Ad Astra players were able to celebrate. They had won a fair victory and recieved the ovations of their fans.