A goal by Lydon Micallef mid-way through the second half enabled Balzan to beat Birkirkara 1-0. A win which puts Oliver Spiteri’s side in joint-third place, on level points with Birkirkara.
This was the fifth consecutive win for Balzan and the first defeat for Birkirkara after six positive results.
Ryan Fenech was missing for Balzan while for Birkirkara, Ryan Scicluna and Edward Herrera were still recovering from injuries. However French-Senegalese striker L’Imam Seydi made his debut for Drazen Besek’s side.
Balzan held the initiative throughout the ninety minutes but only managed to break the deadlock on the 64th minute thanks to a diagonal shot from the right by Lydon Micallef who beat goalkeeper Miroslav Kopric when served by Pedrinho.
BALZAN Ivan Janjusevic, Justin Grioli, Paul Fenech, Steve Bezzina, Samir Arab, Alfred Effiong, Pedro dos Santos Calcado (87′ Aleksandar Vujacic), Lydon Micallef (78′ Luke Sciberras), Dylan Grima, Alan da Silva Souza (85′ Clive Brincat), Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero.
Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Maxim Focsa, Bojan Kaljevic, Sean Cipriott.
Coach: Oliver SpiteriB’KARA Miroslav Kopric, Cain Attard, Mauricio Matias Latini Mazzetti, Nikola Vukanac, Gareth Sciberras, Mislav Andelkovic (72′ Edmond Agius), Matthew Guillaumier (58′ Ryan Darmanin), Edison David Bilbao Zarate, Ryan Camenzuli, Goran Mujanovic (83′ Kurt Zammit), L’Imam Seydi.
Subs not used: Ini Etim Akpan, Joseph Zerafa, Andrea Curmi, Fabien Lufi.
Coach: Drazen BesekReferee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, David Castillo
Additional Assistant Referees: Esther Azzopardi, Glen Tonna
Fourth Official: Roberto Vella
Yellow Cards: Zarate, Camenzuli, Kopric, Effiong
Scorer: 64′ Lydon Micallef
BOV Player of the Match: Alan da Silva Souza