Balzan regain four-point lead

Balzan regained a four-point lead on top the BOV Premier League table as they defeated neighbours Lija Athletic 3-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday.

The leaders therefore returned to winning ways after being held in two draws with Valletta and Floriana in their last two league outings.
Alfred Effiong put Balzan ahead on the 31st minute when he took the ball following a clearance by Ousmane Sidibe, advanced into the area and hit past Bonnici.

On the hour, Leejoe Schembri brought Alex da Paixao Alves down inside the area anf from the penalty spot, Carlos Eduardo de Fiordi Mendes made no mistake.

Balzan made it 3-0 on the 71st minute thanks to Siraj Arab Eddin, served by Alfred Effiong on the right, who beat the Lija custodian with an angled shot.

LIJA Luke Bonnici, McAllister Clinch (81′ Dylan Agius), Patrick Borg, Daniel Scerri, Leejoe Schembri, Aaron Sammut, Vilfor Hysa (53′ Raphael Kooh Sohna), Ousmane Sidibe, Kei Hirose, Erjon Beu, Ryan Sammut (75′ Gabriel Borg).
Subs not used: Jonathan Martinelli, Daniel Vukomanovic, Nigel Spiteri, Predrag Babic.
Coach: Joe Galea

BALZAN Sean Mintoff, Uros Ljubomirac, Alfred Effiong (76′ Jamie Zerafa), Harry Ascroft, Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Ivan Bozovic, Milos Lepovic (73′ Clive Brincat), Siraj Arab Eddin, Alex da Paixao Alves, Justin Grioli (86′ Fabio Attard), Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes.
Subs not used: Dorian Bugeja, Paul Fenech,, Michael Johnson, Jacob Borg.
Coach: Marko Micovic

Referee: Darryl Agius
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant
Yellow Cards: Clinch, Cadu
BOV Player of the Match: Alex da Paixao Alves

Meanwhile at the Hibernians Stadium, Senglea Athletic collected three precious points thanks to a 2-1 win in a direct clash with St. Andrews.

A win which puts Senglea six points clear of St. Andrews who remain in the danger zone, one point ahead of Naxxar.

Senglea took the lead after just three minutes when off an Ivan Paz freekick, Matias Garcia headed home from close range.

The Saints equalised on the 78th minute when Joseph Farrugia, served by Tano Azian, beat Matthew Farrugia with a shot from inside the area.

However four minutes alter, Senglea regained the lead thanks to a great freekick by Ivan Edgardo Paz wich gave goalkeeper Calleja Cremona no chance.

SENGLEA Matthew Farrugia, Randall Vella, Jonathan Bondin, Sergio Uyi, Gonzalo Julian Leyton, Matias Garcia, Hubert Vella (74′ Steve Bonnici), Ivan Edgardo Paz, Terence Vella, Augusto Caseres (77′ Peter Sammut), Gregori de Sousa Braga (86′ Braian Alexis Volpini).
Coach: Paolo Favaretto

ST. ANDREWS Matthew Calleja Cremona, Adrian Borg, Misael Miranda Gomez, Tano Azian, Marcus Grima (65′ Kevaughn Atkinson), Joseph Farrugia, Jason Vandelannoite, Matthew Gauci, Jacob Walker (56′ Travis Blagrove), Kemmu Degran Jackson, Kemar Reid.
Coach: Michael Woods

Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Peter Abela
Fourth Official: Eman Grech
Yellow Cards: M. Grima, J. Vandelannoite, M. Gauci, M. Calleja Cremona, T. Blagrove
BOV Player of the Match: Ivan Paz