Narrow win for Balzan

Balzan returned to winning ways as a goal mid-way through the first half by Bruno Giglio enabled them to beat St. Andrews 1-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday. A win which makes sure they stay on top the BOV Premier League.

St. Andrews could consider themselves unlucky to leave Ta’ Qali empty-handed as they shared the exchanges for long stretches. This was the first defeat for the Saints after five positive results.

Balzan coach Oliver Spiteri made a number of changes from the team which drew with Birkirkara as Christian Cassar, Anderson De Barros, Lydon Micallef, Dylan Grima and Alfred Effiong replaced Ivan Janjusevic, Clive Brincat, Ryan Fenech, Abdelkarim Nafti and Alan da Silva. On the other hand, for St. Andrews, Godwin McKay and Bong Won Che replaced Ante Bakmaz and Ivan Paz.

The leaders scored the all-important goal on the 24th thanks to a great free kick from the right by Bruno Giglio de Oliveira which gave goalkeeper Jake Galea.

BALZAN Christian Cassar, Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Bojan Kaljevic, Samir Arab, Lydon Micallef (67′ Terence Agius), Dylan Grima, Alfred Effiong, Anderson Francisco de Barros, Elkin Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech (90′ Sean Cipriott), Matteo Piciollo (58′ Alan da Silva Souza).
Subs not used: Ivan Janjusevic, Daniel Spiteri, Clive Brincat, Jamie Zerafa.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

ST. ANDREWS Jake Galea, Michael Johnson, Karlo Kesinovic, Bong Won Che, Enmy Pena Beltre, Joseph Farrugia, Dale Camilleri (86′ Nenad Belacevic), Felix Udoh Okon, Kyrian Nwoko, Godwin McKay (82′ Jacob Walker), Ziga Kastrevec (75′ Ante Bakmaz).
Subs not used: Dean Sciberras, Jamie Magri Overend, Mark Scicluna, Ryan Darmanin.
Coach: Danilo Doncic

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: Kastrevec, Grima, Fenech
BOV Player of the Match: Enmy Pena Beltre