Balzan overcome Mosta challenge to take home first three points

bov-premier-leagueBalzan defeated Mosta by the odd goal in five to collect their first three points in the BOV Premier League.

Oliver Spiteri’s side seemed heading towards a comfortable win after taking a two-goal lead in the first half. However Mosta had other thoughts and reduced the gap early after the restart and although they conceded another goal, they narrowed the gap once again.

Apart from new coach Edmond Lufi, Mosta had no less than nine players making their debut, namely Kurt Magro, Adrian Caruana, Martin Vlcek, Jaroslav Repa, Tristan Grant, Dany Djoufack, Chinatu Francis Onwudinjo, Lucky Victor Oseghale and substitute Enmy Manuel Pena Beltre. Balzan, on the other hand, had substitute Abdelkarim Nafti making his debut while Anderson Francisco de Barros made their first league appearance but lacked the injured Dylan Grima and Ryan Fenech.

Balzan managed to break the deadlock on the 34th minute when off an assist from the left by Bojan Kaljevic, Terence Agius slotted the ball past goalkeeper Yenz Cini.

Seven minutes later, Balzan doubled the score thanks to an Alfred Effiong header which hit the upright before ending at the back of the net following a freekick from the left by Justin Grioli.

Nine minutes in the second half, Mosta pulled one back when Martin Vlcek concluded a good move on the left with a fine curved shot which beat goalkeeper Janjusevic.

Balzan were awarded a penalty on the 65th minute after Lydon Micallef was brought down inside the area by Adrian Caruana. From the penalty spot, Bojan Kaljevic converted to make it 3-1.

On the 77th, it was Mosta’s turn to be awarded a penalty after Paul Fenech handled the ball inside the area. Lucky Victor Oseghale converted the penalty in style.

BALZAN Ivan Janjusevic, Bojan Kaljevic (73′ Abdelkarim Nafti), Clive Brincat, Steve Bezzina, Anderson Francisco de Barros, Paul Fenech, Alfred Effiong, Justin Grioli, Lydon Micallef (84′ Samir Arab), Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Terence Agius.
Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Gary Camilleri, Borce Manevski, Sean Cipriott, Jamie Zerafa.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

MOSTA Yenz Cini, Kurt Magro, Kyle Frendo (89′ Dexter Xuereb), Tristan Grant (43′ Enmy Manuel Pena Beltre), Jaroslav Repa, Lucky Victor Oseghale, Chinatu Francis Onwudinjo, Zachary Brincat, Adrian Caruana, Martin Vlcek, Dany Djoufack.
Subs not used: Manuel Bartolo, Enmy Manuel Pena Beltre, Jurgen Grech, Neil Frendo, Emerson Vella, Sheldon Vassallo.
Coach: Edmond Lufi

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna
Yellow Cards: Caruana, Onwudinjo, Magro, Fenech, Agius, Grioli
BOV Player of the Match: Bojan Kaljevic
Attendance: 543