Despite having to play in ten men for half-an-hour, Balzan ended their recent disappointing spell with a 4-1 win over Mosta to move back on track in their bid to keep the pace with the top four teams.

This win puts them two points ahead of Tarxien and five ahead for Mosta who were suffering a second consecutive defeat after losing to Birkirkara in their previous league outing.

New recruits Paul Fenech and Pedro dos Santos Calcado were included in the starting line-up by Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri. Mosta, on the other hand, had new signing Lyden Micallef making his debut after his move from Pembroke but they lacked Onyekachi Okonkwo and Edin Murga.

Balzan forged ahead on the 11th minute when a Dylan Grima effort was partially saved by Omar Borg and Lydon Micallef hit home off the rebound.

On the 35th, Balzan doubled the score thanks to Alfred Effiong who received an assist by Paul Fenech from the right and slammed the ball home from close range.

Mosta pulled one back seven minutes in the second half when off a cross by Adrian Borg, Tyrone Farrugia headed the ball down for James Brincat whose first-time effort gave Christian Cassar no chance.

To make matters worse for Balzan, Paul Fenech was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless tackle in midfield on the 62nd.

However Balzan still managed to extend the lead through Ryan Fenech whose long-distance effort on the 74th minute beat Mosta goalkeeper Omar Borg.

Substitute Alan da Silva Souza sealed the issue with a fourth goal on the 90th after concluding a good solo effort by slotting the ball past the Mosta custodian from the edge of the area.

BALZAN Christian Cassar, Ryan Fenech (89′ Clive Brincat), Justin Grioli, Steven Bezzina, Samir Arab, Alfred Effiong (78′ Alexandar Vujacic), Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Paul Fenech, Dylan Grima, Lydon Micallef (68′ Alan da Silva Souza), Elkin Serrano Valero.
Subs not used: Mikhail Sciberras, Godwin Mensha, Ryan Darmanin, Sean Cipriott.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

MOSTA Omar Borg, Tyrone Farrugia, Osa Guobadia, Edile Micheletti, Adrian Borg, James Brincat, Kyle Frendo (78′ Zachary Brincat), Lyden Micallef, Saviour Fidelis, Gustavo de Paulo (46′ Mark Brincat), Dyson Falzon (78′ Carlos Montes Zuniga).
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Kyle Gatt, Kurt Camilleri, Dexter Xuereb.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Ryan Aquilina
Additional Assistant Referees: Marco Borg, Stefan Pace
Fourth Official: Edward Spiteri
Yellow Cards: P. Fenech, Falzon, Z. Brincat
Red Cards: 61′ Paul Fenech
Scorers: 11′ Lydon Micallef, 35′ Alfred Effiong, 52′ James Brincat, 74′ Ryan Fenech, 90′ Alan da Silva Souza
BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Fenech
Attendance: 753