Balzan extend positive run

BOV-Premier-LeagueBalzan extended their positive run at the top of the BOV Premier League as they defeated Gzira United 3-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Monday to register the fifth win in six matches.

For Gzira, this was the second defeat in six matches, leaving them on the eight-point mark

Balzan had one change from the team which defeated Hibernians as Dylan Grima replaced Terence Agius. On the other hand, Souleymane Diamoutene was back for Gzira, replacing the suspended Antonio de Queiroz Machedo Neto. Missing for Gzira were Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Robert Pinho de Souza and Rafael Ledesma.

Balzan took the lead on the 33rd minute when off a cross from the left, Bojan Kaljevic headed the ball down for Paul Fenech who headed home past Jurgen Borg.

Bojan Kaljevic doubled the score four minutes from the end of the first half when off a cross from the right by Lydon Micallef, the Montenegrin striker slotted the ball past the Gzira custodian.

The Maroons pulled one back on the 76th minute when off a cross by Liliu, substitute Joceano da Silva Santos beat Janjusevic with a diving header.

However Balzan sealed the issue on the 90th thanks to substitute Matteo Piciollo who rounded a defender on the right and advanced before hitting past Gerada.

BALZAN Ivan Janjusevic, Bojan Kaljevic (73′ Terence Agius), Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Steve Bezzina, Lydon Micallef (63′ Matteo Piciollo), Paul Fenech, Alfred Effiong, Justin Grioli, Abdelkarim Nafti (83′ Clive Brincat), Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Dylan Grima.
Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Alan da Silva Souza, Sean Cipriott, Paul Lapira.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

GZIRA Jurgen Borg (58′ Kyle Gerada), Yanis Tonna (66′ Joceano da Silva Santos), Gianmarco Conti, Andre White, Juan Carlos Corbalan, Jonathan Bondin, Moises Avila Perez, Jacob Borg, Zachary Scerri, Souleymane Diamoutene, Karl Pulo (67′ Ellinton Antonio Costa Morais).
Subs not used: Jamie Azzopardi, Dyson Falzon, James D’Agostino, Salvatore Grixti.
Coach: Branko Nisevic

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Peter Abela
Fourth Official: Eman Grech
Yellow Cards: Bruno Oliveira, Kaljevic, Grioli, Joceano
Scorers: 33′ Paul Fenech, 41′ Bojan Kaljevic, 76′ Joceano da Silva Santos, 90′ Matteo Piciollo
BOV Player of the Match: Lydon Micallef

Meanwhile Mosta returned to winning ways as they defeated St. Andrews 1-0 at the National Stadium. For the Blues, this was the second win which puts them on level points with St. Andrews with six points from six matches.

Making his debut for Mosta was Jamaican Kemar Reid who was one of four changes for Mosta as Yenz Cini, Tristan Grant, Kurt Magro and Reid replaced goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo, Lucky Oseghale and the suspended Adrian Caruana. Kyrian Nwoko replaced Ryan Darmanin for St. Andrews.

Mosta scored the all-important goal on the 36th minute when Njongo Priso’s powerful drive was blocked by a defender, goalkeeper Jake Galea failed to grab the ball and Kemar Reid placed the ball at the back of the net.

One minute in the second half, St. Andrews could have equalised when Ziga Kastrevec’s diagonal shot hit the foot of the post when served by Nwoko.

MOSTA Yenz Cini, Gabriel Bezak, Luca Martinelli, Dany Djoufack, Tristan Anthony Grant, Kyle Frendo, Kurt Magro, Martin Vlcek (84’ Antoine Borg), Raylon Kaylon Paisley (56’ Zachary Brincat), Kemar David Reid (88’ Dexter Xuereb), Njongo Priso Doding.
Subs not used: Emmanuel Bartolo, Neil Frendo, Sheldon Vassallo, Emerson Vella.
Coach: Edmond Lufi

ST. ANDREWS Jake Galea, Michael Johnson, Karlo Kesinovic, Bong Won Che (88’ Dale Camilleri), Felix Okon Udoh, Emmy Manuel Pena Beltre, Kyrian Nwoko, Joseph Farrugia (82’ Mark Scicluna), Daniel Brandle (62’ Jacob Walker), Ziga Kastrevic, Ivan Edgardo Paz.
Subs not used: Dean Sciberras, Ryan Sammut, Liam Grech, Ryan Darmanin.
Coach: Jose Borg

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Matthew De Gabriele
Yellow Cards: Reid, Martinelli, Enmy Pena Beltre, Kastrevec, Paz
Scorers: 36’ Kemar Reid
BOV Player of the Match: Dany Djoufack