Valletta failed to reduce further the gap with leaders Hibernians as goals by Bojan Kaljevic and Gianmarco Piccioni enabled fourth-placed Balzan to beat them 2-1. A defeat which leaves Valletta fourteen points behind the leaders and just one ahead of Birkirkara.

Balzan, on the other hand, register the fifth win in six matches to move six points clear of Floriana and eight behind Birkirkara.

The returning Ryan Fenech replaced the suspended Steve Borg for Valletta. On the other hand, Balzan had three changes from the team which defeated Sliema as Dyan Grima, Terence Agius and Elkin Serrano replaced Osa Guobadia, Steve Bezzina and Luke Sciberras.

Balzan had a perfect start, taking the lead on the 9th minute when off a long through-pass for Bojan Kaljevic on the right, the Montenegrin striker caught Nicky Vella out of place as he rushed out of the area, placing the ball at the back of the net with a cute lob.

Valletta however equalised on the 26th minute when Ryan Fenech concluded a solo effort in which he dribbled a couple of players, beating Steve Sultana from a close angle.

Early in the second half, Balzan went close with attempts by Dylan Grima and Bojan Kaljevic. On the other side of the pitch, Ryan Fenech had a shot parried by Sultana.

Balzan regained the lead on 73 minutes when Bojan Kaljevic controlled the ball just outside the area, serving the unmarked Gianmarco Piccioni who managed to lob the ball over the Valletta custodian.

Ryan Fenech was unlucky to hit the crossbar for the Citizens with a fine shot from outside the area on the 84th.

VALLETTA Nicky Vella, Jonathan Caruana, Ryan Camilleri, Ryan Fenech, Hamza Barry, Roderick Briffa, Llywelyn Cremona (57′ Lateef Elford-Alliyu), Djamel Leeflang (43′ Shaun Bajada), Abdelkarim Nafti (72′ Ikenna Paul Hilary), Luke Dimech.
Subs not used: Pietro Marino, Jean Borg, Kurt Borg, Nicholas Pulis.
Coach: Gilbert Agius

BALZAN Steve Sultana, Justin Grioli, Dylan Grima (85′ Lydon Micallef), Samir Arab, Edison David Bilbao Zarate, Terence Agius, Bojan Kaljevic, Oscar Dario Guerrero Alvarado (93′ Luke Sciberras), Clive Brincat, Gianmarco Piccioni (89′ Ryan Darmanin), Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero.
Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Godwin Mckay, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Sean Cipriott.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, David Castillo
Additional Assistant Referees: Fyodor Zammit, Andre Arciola
Fourth Official: Ingmar Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Fenech, Azzopardi, Kaljevic, Piccioni, Dimech
Scorers: 9′ Bojan Kaljevic, 26′ Ryan Fenech, 73′ Gianmarco Piccioni
BOV Player of the Match: Bojan Kaljevic
Attendance: 1,127