Floriana hold Balzan in a draw

Balzan extended their positive run on top the BOV Premier League table to seventeen matches but dropped two important points as they were held in a 1-1 draw by Floriana at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Balzan now lie four points of Valletta and five ahead of Birkirkara but the Citizens have a game in hand. Floriana, on the other hand, move temporarily in fourth place on 35 points.

The Greens managed to take the lead on the 35th minute when off an assist by Sebastian Nayar, Mario Fontanella rounded a defender before hitting low past Ivan Janjusevic.

However fourteen minutes in the second half, Balzan levelled matters thanks to Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes who received a perfect pass by Alfred Effiong and hit home from close range.

BALZAN Ivan Janjusevic, Steve Bezzina, Alfred Effiong, Ryan Fenech (46’ Justin Grioli), Bruno Giglio De Oliveira, Ivan Bozovic (79’ Siraj Eddin Arab), Bojan Kaljevic, Paul Fenech, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes.
Coach: Ludvic Bartolo

FLORIANA Ini Etim Akpan, Sebastian Nayar, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz (84’ Jurgen Pisani), Steve Pisani, Juninho Cabral, Alex Cini, Arthur Henrique Oyama, Dylan Grima, Mario Fontanella, Emerson Marcelina.
Coach: JJ Aquilina

Referee: Matthew Degabriele
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Dusan Petrovic
Additional Assistant Referees: Glen Tonna, Eman Grech
Fourth Official: William Debattista
Yellow Cards: E. O. Serrano Valero, A. Da Paixao Alves (B), E. Marcelina, I. E. Akpan, S. Nayar (F)
BOV Player of the Match: Alfred Effiong
Attendance: 747