Saturday 29th April 2017: Balzan paid harshly for missing a penalty and plenty of missed opportunities as they were held in a 1-1 draw by Ħamrun Spartans, which impaired Balzan’s hopes of winning the league for the first time.
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For this game Balzan had Ryan Fenech and Alan Da Silva Souza missing through suspension and Dylan Grima, Justin Grioli and Steve Bezzina still injured but they welcomed back Bruno Gilio de Oliveira and Matteo Picollo. On the other hand Hamrun had Karl Micallef missing through suspension while Mathieu Manset started in the attack.
The first opportunity came to Hamrun on the 6th minute when Massimiliano Guisti made his way into the area but his effort was well saved by goalkeeper Christian Cassar.
Balzan replied by taking the lead on the 13th minute. Alfred Effiong was fouled outside the area on the left and from the resulting direct free-kick BOJAN KALJEVIC gave no chance to goalkeeper David Cassar, with a wonderful shot over the wall.
Hamrun reacted immediately and levelled matters four mutes later. Jake Grech sent a good long ball towards advancing MATHIEU MANSET who shot past goalkeeper Christian Cassar from close range.
On the 21st minute Bojan Kaljevic was close to score for the second time when, after connecting a good pass by Lydon Micallef, his shot was saved well by David Cassar.
Balzan had another opportunity on the 25th minute when Matteo Piciollo fired a shot from distance that finished high over the cross-bar.
On the 38th minute Lydon Micallef served Alfred Effiong whose strong shot was turned into a corner by the David Cassar.
Balzan had a great opportunity to take the lead again on the 41st minute. Sean Cipriott was brought down inside the area by goalkeeper David Cassar and the referee awarded a penalty. Bojan Kaljevic took the responsibility however he hit wide from the penalty spot.
Four minutes into the second half Balzan had a good opportunity goalkeeper David Cassar failed to stop a cross and the ball fell to Lydon Micallef whoes header was cleared off the line by Manolito Micallef.
Balzan had another opportunity on the 56th minute when Lydon Micallef received the ball inside the penalty area and delivered it towards Bojan Kaljevic whose shot from inside the goal area was tipped into a corner by David Cassar.
Hamrun threatened on the hour. Christian Cassar partially saved over Jake Grech’s shot but from the rebound Mathieu Manset shot the loose ball wide.
Balzan tried to increase their attacking force by introducing fresh Abdelkarim Nafti for Matteo Piciollo and later Paul Fenech for Terence Agius.
On the 75th minute, Ħamrun lost a good chance to go ahead. Massimiliano Giusti sent substitute Leandro Wallace Motta Dos Santos through on goal and the latter finished wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.
In his last effort of the game Bojan Kaljevic shot horribly over when served by Anderson De Barros as frustration crept in the Balzan side in the late stage.