League

Balzan Arena
Spectators: 8629 (Terracing: 6473, Seating: 1984, VIP seats: 172) Karl Asciak made the kick off and thus started the match. 6 minutes into the match, Balzan Youths's goal looked a bit too open when Ryan Ciantar came free, but Stephan Depasquale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Evan Ghio fell near the penalty area in the 9th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Mellieħa's protests and gave Evan Ghio a yellow card for diving instead. After 10 played minutes Mellieħa got a freekick which was hit by Evan Ghio. Stephan Depasquale made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Massimo Pace in the 12th minute of play. Stephan Depasquale took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ryan Ciantar, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a little luck, Mellieħa's Kurt Mangion got control of the ball when Ričards Tālums tried to sneak it across the goal line. Etienne Xerris short, quick shot in the 20thth minute got Kurt Mangion to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Massimo Pace's late challenge caught a Balzan Youths's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Massimo Pace helped the player get up and apologised. 27 minutes into the match, Balzan Youths's goal looked a bit too open when Ryan Ciantar came free, but Stephan Depasquale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 34 minutes into the match, Balzan Youths's goal looked a bit too open when Ryan Ciantar came free, but Stephan Depasquale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Ryan Ciantar made a kick off. With a little luck, Balzan Youths's Stephan Depasquale got control of the ball when Massimo Pace tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 58th minute Karl Asciak shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Kurt Mangion saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 62nd minute Ričards Tālums shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Kurt Mangion saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 63 minutes into the game, Massimo Pace cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-2. Stephan Depasquale was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Ryan Ciantar struck a weak shot in the 69th minute. Stephan Depasquale didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mellieħa. Stephan Depasquale took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ryan Ciantar, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mellieħa were awarded a corner in the 72th minute after Balzan Youths's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Ryan Ciantar took the corner. Ryan Ciantar was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. Louis Mula's late challenge caught a Mellieħa's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Louis Mula helped the player get up and apologised. Louis Mula hit a great freekick 74 minutes into the match. Stephan Depasquale showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Peter Debono, who was totally free with the ball in the 75th minute. In the 78th minute Karl Asciak shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Kurt Mangion saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 82nd minute, Mellieħa's Evan Ghio seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Evan Ghio the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Mellieħa protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Evan Ghio had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. After 83 played minutes Mellieħa got a freekick which was hit by Evan Ghio. Noel Said recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 84th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 88th match minute, Mellieħa was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Domenic Debono to maneuver through the defense. If Karl Asciak had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 90th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Peter Debono charged in rather forcefully in the 93rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Peter Debono the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Balzan Youths's Emanuel Mifsud got a good chance for a goal in the 94th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar.