League Play-Off

Balzan Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Andrea Valletta started the match with the kick off. Kelinu Young sent away a hard shot on goal in the 2nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Annetto Triccas hit a great freekick 5 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Andrea Valletta in the 8th minute of play forced Mellieħa's goalkeeper Richard Papagiorcopulo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 11th minute the ball was on its way in behind Mellieħa's goalkeeper Richard Papagiorcopulo, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After having played for 12 minutes, Kelinu Young managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mellieħa's supporters crossed their fingers, but Kelinu Young was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Richard Papagiorcopulo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Andrea Valletta in the 16th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 18th minute, Andrea Valletta managed to get in a good position for a shot. Balzan Rainbows's supporters rose to their feet, but Andrea Valletta was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Richard Papagiorcopulo breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The audience thought a goal was coming when Andrea Valletta got free with Richard Papagiorcopulo in the 20th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Colin Cini struck a weak shot in the 21st minute. Richard Papagiorcopulo didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Balzan Rainbows. After some fancy dribbling in the 24th minute, Andrea Valletta managed to get in a good position for a shot. Balzan Rainbows's supporters rose to their feet, but Andrea Valletta was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Richard Papagiorcopulo breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. When Balzan Rainbows's Andrea Valletta in the 27th minute got a chance for a shot 27th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Mellieħa's goalie prevented a goal. After having played for 29 minutes, Miguel Miceli managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mellieħa's supporters crossed their fingers, but Miguel Miceli was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After 31 minutes, Tony Bonett mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Balzan Rainbows and the Mellieħa players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 31st minute, Tony Bonett hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 32nd minute, Miguel Miceli 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. After some fancy dribbling in the 34th minute, Miguel Miceli managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mellieħa's supporters rose to their feet, but Miguel Miceli 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. In the 35th match minute, Balzan Rainbows was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Tony Bonett to maneuver through the defense. Bertrand Engerer made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Kelinu Young in the 47th minute of play. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

After 51 minutes, Mario Axisa mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Balzan Rainbows and the Mellieħa players grew even worse after the yellow card. Mario Axisa kicked well hit freekick during the 51st minute of the match. In the 53rd match minute, Balzan Rainbows was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jeremy Ciliberti to maneuver through the defense. Miguel Miceli struck a weak shot in the 54th minute. Bertrand Engerer didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mellieħa. Jeremy Ciliberti kicked well hit freekick during the 59th minute of the match. Balzan Rainbows's Andrea Valletta got a good chance for a goal in the 63rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Andrea Valletta might have been able to make a better finish in the 71st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Richard Papagiorcopulo. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Andrea Valletta ran back to his position shaking his head. Miguel Miceli sent away a hard shot on goal in the 75th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Richard Papagiorcopulo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Andrea Valletta, who was totally free with the ball in the 80th minute. If Miguel Miceli had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 82nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Richard Papagiorcopulo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andrea Valletta, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to Mellieħa getting a freekick after 87 minutes play. Tyron Cassar hit a great ball. After 88 minutes of play, Balzan Rainbows's Andrea Valletta made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Richard Papagiorcopulo was left in no man's land by his defense there! The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Balzan Rainbows had won after a very even match.