Balzan move back on track

Balzan returned to winning ways as they registered a 2-0 win over Floriana in a match from the BOV Premier League at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. A win which puts them once again on level points with Valletta and Hibernians.

For the Greens, on the other hand, this was the fourth defeat and therefore they continue to share the seventh place with Hamrun Spartans and St. Andrews on the nine-point mark.

Following the heavy defeat to Valletta, Balzan coach Marko Micovic made three changes as Justin Grioli, Dale Camilleri and Ricardo Calixto Correa replaced Michael Johnson, Ivan Bozovic and the injured Steve Bezzina. Floriana, on the other hand, welcomed back Mohammed Saleh and Clyde Borg in the starting line-up, replacing Alex Cini and Maurizio Vella.

On the 7th minute, Floriana went close to taking the lead when off a Clayton Falla corner from the right, the ball was deflected by Majdevac with the ball hitting the foot of the post with Enzo Ruiz trying to connect from close range.

However Balzan managed to break the deadlock seven minutes in the second half thanks to Alfred Effiong whose low shot gave goalkeeper Ini Etim Akpan no chance following a cross from the right.

Two minutes from time, the Greens could have equalised but Steve Sultana performed a great save on an Enzo Ruiz effort.

One minute in added time, Balzan doubled the score thanks to Alex da Paixao Alves who received an assist by Alfred Effiong and advanced on the right before hitting hard past the Floriana custodian.

BALZAN Steve Sultana, Justin Grioli, Dale Camilleri, Nenad Sljivic, Alex da Paixao Alves (90+4′ Neil Frendo), Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Elkin Serrano Valero, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte (90+5′ Gary Camilleri), Andrija Majdevac (84′ Siraj Arab Eddin), Milos Lepovic.
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Lydon Micallef, Michael Johnson, Sean Cipriott.
Coach: Marko Micovic
Asst. Coach: Velibor Kopunovic

FLORIANA Ini Etim Akpan, Mohammed Saleh, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg (69′ Daniel Agius), Ignacio Varela (60’ Patrick Wleh), Juninho Cabral, Clayton Failla, Jurgen Pisani, Arthur Henrique Oyama (85′ Alex Cini), Emerson Marcelina.
Subs not used: Justin Spiteri, Mattia Zarb, Bradley Sciberras, Jake Stenson.
Coach: Luis Oliveira
Asst. Coach: Ryan Newell

Referee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: Cabral, Ruiz
BOV Player of the Match: Alex da Paixao Alves
Attendance: 382