Balzan make it five wins in a row

Balzan registered a fifth consecutive win to move seven points clear of Floriana and keep their dream of playing in the UEFA Europa League this summer alive.

Oliver Spiteri’s side had a perfect start taking the lead after less than a minute, going four goals ahead by the end of the first half. Qormi, on the other hand, were just a shadow of the team which earned a point in a 2-2 draw with Birkirkara.

Balzan had a perfect start, taking the lead after just 47 seconds through Bojan Kaljevic who received a through pass by Terence Agius before slotting past Matthew Farrugia.

On the 18th, Grioli sent Kaljevic through on the right and off the latter’s assist, Gianmarco Piccioni hit incredibly high from an ideal position just outside the goal area.

Two minutes later, Balzan doubled the score when off a pass by Lydon Micallef from the right, Bojan Kaljevic hit home from close range.

On the 23rd minute, Gianmarco Piccioni made it 3-0 when he chipped the ball over the Qormi goalkeeper after being served by Dylan Grima on the left.

Three minutes from the end of the first half, Balzan increased the lead further thanks to an Elkin Serrano Valero header from close range which beat Farrugia following a corner from the left by Dylan Grima.

Qormi pulled one back on 68 minutes after Clive Brincat handled the ball inside the area. From the penalty spot, Alfred Effiong converted.

However on the 90th minute, Balzan sealed the issue with a fifth goal thanks to Samir Arab who concluded a good run on the right with a diagonal shot which beat Matthew Farrugia.

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Christopher Edafe Uzeh (49′ Marcelo Roberto Lima de Mattos), Alejandro Mendoza Corujo, Alfred Effiong, Clifford Gauci, Ryan Micallef, Emerson Vella (7′ Jonathan Bondin), Zoran Levnajic, Duncan Pisani (69′ Leighton Grech), Billy Berntsson, Gustavo Villalobos.
Subs not used: Mario Muscat, Jurgen Cilia, Bjorn Bondin, Steve Agius.
Coach: Mark Miller

BALZAN Christian Cassar, Terence Agius, Dylan Grima (74′ Luke Sciberras), Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Samir Arab, Steve Bezzina, Bojan Kaljevic (58′ Ryan Darmanin), Osa Guobadia, Clive Brincat, Lydon Micallef, Gianmarco Piccioni (77′ Edison Bilbao Zarate)
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Godwin Mckay, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Mark Spiteri.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Edward Spiteri
Additional Assistant Referees: Andre Arciola, Esther Azzopardi
Fourth Official: Sammy Attard
Yellow Cards: Effiong
Scorers: 1′ Bojan Kaljevic, 20′ Bojan Kaljevic, 23′ Gianmarco Piccioni, 42′ Elkin Serrano Valero, 68′ Alfred Effiong pen, 90′ Samir Arab
BOV Player of the Match: Dylan Grima