Leaders Marsaxlokk edge closer to promotion

Balzan Youths 0
Marsaxlokk 2

Marsaxlokk made a giant step towards a quick return to the Premier League after beating strong contenders Balzan Youths 2-0 yesterday. Patrick Curmi's side are now four points ahead of second-placed Vittoriosa and six better off than third-placed duo Balzan and St George's.

The Division One leaders were technically the better side and worth their win but Balzan also had their say in the game and it was only Reuben Debono's fine saves that kept Marsaxlokk's lead intact.

Marsaxlokk enjoyed the edge in the opening half as besides scoring two well-taken goals, they also missed a couple of scoring opportunities.

Balzan, on their part, were finding it difficult to find spaces as the Southerners' rearguard, ably marshalled by Emil Yantchev and William Camenzuli, closed all avenues to their goal.

It was Camenzuli who shot his team ahead on 21 minutes from a free-kick that gave keeper Joshua Galea, in the Balzan goal, no chance.

Balzan were never in it at this stage and a Malcolm Licari effort, following a Martin Deanov cross, was stopped in style by the Balzan keeper. However, a minute before the break Marsaxlokk doubled the score through Rumen Galabov who headed home a Peter Pullicino centre.

The second half was livelier. On 53 minutes, Licari almost made it 3-0 but the Marsaxlokk striker was thwarted in the last minute by defender David Agius.

From a swift Balzan counter-attack, Peter Anizoba beat the Marsaxlokk keeper with a crisp lob but Yantchev cleared from over the goalline.

Ivan Zammit's Balzan started to pile up the pressure and Debono was alert to stop a Simon Aquilina header from a corner and then another Aquilina effort after a mazy run inside the Marsaxlokk box.

Twenty minutes from time, Leighton Grech was close for the Southseasiders when he drove the ball just wide following a measured Dylan Kokavessis pass.

Balzan did most of the attacking in the late stages of the match but Marsaxlokk held tight for a very useful victory against direct promotion contenders.

Balzan: J. Galea, I. Zammit, C. Micallef, J. Francica, R. Forace (A. Agius), D. Agius, B. Bondin, S. Aquilina (G. Tanti), D. Fenech, P. Anizoba, S. Shead.

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, M. Deanov, P. Pullicino, M. Licari (D. Kokavessis, G. Caruana), L. Grech (D. Carabott), W. Camenzuli, C. Brincat, R. Galabov, E. Yantchev, F. Raimy, T. Templeman.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Emil Yanthev (Marsaxlokk).