Balzan Youths 1
St Andrew’s 1
Uchanna Anywanna’s penalty strike 20 minutes from time looked to have given promotion candidates Balzan Youths the three points but Eddie Grima netted a deserved late equaliser for St Andrew’s who, for long spells, had been the better side.
The draw handed St Andrew’s their first point following their defeat to St George’s while Balzan have now drawn their opening two league matches.
Were it not for a series of fine saves by Frederick Tabone, Balzan would probably have lost to the Saints yesterday.
Balzan made the brighter start. After seven minutes, Steve Meilak profited for a penalty-box melee but his drive from the edge of the area was saved by Deren Ibrahim.
St Andrew’s were unlucky not to take the lead on 18 minutes as Balzan midfielder Silvan Ciscaldi effected two goal-line clearances to keep out efforts by Jack Pallen, who headed goalwards from Nicky Vella Petroni’s corner, and William Camilleri.
A minute later, Ciscaldi almost put Balzan ahead as he ran forward after receiving from Clifton Ciantar but his effort was stopped by Ibrahim. Midway into the first half, Michael Valenzia’s first-time effort from outside the area finished just wide.
Balzan looked more solid in midfield with Matthew Sciortino fighting for every ball. Nine minutes from half-time, Sciortino played a good ball to Simon Mizzi but his strike was saved by Ibrahim. The Balzan coaches’ decision to withdraw Sciortino in favour of Bjorn Bondin six minutes from half-time came as a surprise to many.
After the change of ends, Camilleri tried his luck with a strong drive from outside the area but Tabone blocked his effort. Two minutes into the second half, Wayne Attard’s side should have gone ahead as Pallen and Grima played an excellent one-two but the former fired wide from two metres out.
St Andrew’s came close again on 64 minutes when Ron Hartvig’s close-range header from Vella Petroni’s free-kick brought another top-notch save from Tabone who tipped the ball away for a corner.
As the Saints continued to dictate matters, it was Tabone who came to Balzan’s rescue again on 68 minutes when he blocked Faisal Anakua’s attempt from just inside the area.
Balzan snatched the lead against the run of play 20 minutes from time. Meilak pounced on a Hartvig mistake in the area but the Balzan striker was brought down by the Saints’ Danish defender.
Referee Kevin Azzopardi instantly pointed to the spot and Anywanna converted to put Balzan 1-0 up. Balzan now assumed control of the match and eight minutes from time, a Meilak cross-shot hit the crossbar.
Just when it looked as though Balzan would hold on to their lead, St Andrew’s levelled matters when Grima flicked the ball home from Camilleri’s cross.
In stoppage time, Tabone saved Balzan from defeat when he saved Anakua’s point-blank header.
Balzan: F. Tabone, R. Conceicao, J. Francica (L. Micallef), C. Ciantar, R. Farrugia, S. Ciscaldi, S. Mizzi (A. Agius), S. Meilak, R. Forace, M. Sciortino (B. Bondin), U. Anywanna.
St Andrew’s: D. Ibrahim, G. Fenech, P. Briscoe White, N. Chetcuti, R. Hartvig, M. Valenzia (M. Calleja), N. Vella Petroni, W. Camilleri, E. Grima, K. Coleiro (J.P. Calleja), J. Pallen (F. Anakua).
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Man of the match: Frederick Tabone (Balzan).