Balzan moved temporarily in second place as they returned to winning ways, defeating Floriana 2-0 to extend their positive run in the BOV Premier League to eleven matches.

Floriana, on the other hand, are now fifth following Birkirkara’s win over Tarxien.

Samir Arab and Ryan Fenech were missing for Balzan while Clyde Borg and Jurgen Pisani were missing for Floriana.

Balzan managed to take the lead on the 7th minute when Dylan Grima intercepted a clearance by goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona and sent Alfred Effiong through who advanced into the area before slotting the ball past the Floriana custodian.

Four minutes in the second half, Balzan doubled the score when Pedro Calcado entered the penalty area from the right and served the unmarked Elkin Serrano Valero who slammed the ball home past the helpless Calleja Cremona.

FLORIANA Matthew Calleja Cremona, Andre Scicluna, Antonio Monticelli (56′ Matteo Picciolo), Enrico Pepe, Steve Pisani (55′ Conor Borg), Juninho Cabral, Steve Bonnici (70′ Firas Aboulezz), Emanuel Briffa, Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fontanella, Marcelina Emerson.
Subs not used: Matthew Grech, Neil Spiteri, Jake Davies, Daniel Agius.
Coach: Luis Oliveira

BALZAN Ivan Janjusevic, Justin Grioli, Paul Fenech, Steve Bezzina, Dylan Grima, Alfred Effiong (85′ Bojan Kaljevic), Clive Brincat, Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Lydon Micallef (74′ Aleksandar Vujacic), Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Alan da Silva Souza (88′ Maxim Focsa).
Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Luke Sciberras, Juan Corbalan, Sean Cipriott.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Jurgen Spiteri
Additional Assistant Referees: Trustin Farrugia Cann, Mario Apap
Fourth Official: Thomas Debono
Yellow Cards: Grima, Serrano, Monticelli, Chiesa, Juninho Cabral, Vujacic
Scorers: 7′ Alfred Effiong, 49′ Elkin Serrano Valero
BOV Player of the Match: Pedro dos Santos Calcado
Attendance: 894