Leaders Balzan extend positive run

Leaders Balzan extended their positive run to twenty one matches as they defeated Mosta 2-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday to make sure of retaining the top spot.

For Mosta, this was the fourth consecutive defeat, staying just out of the relegation zone.

Balzan took the lead on the 25th minute thanks to Milos Lepovic whose powerful drive gave goalkeeper Andreas Vella no chance.

Towards the end of the first half, Balzan went close twice – first with an Alfred Effiong header and then with a Cadu corner both hitting the woodwork.

Five minutes from time, Balzan doubled the score thanks to substitute Jacob Dominico Borg who slammed the ball home following an assist from the left by Alex da Paixao Alves.

Photo: Copyright © Andrew Grima

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BALZAN Sean Mintoff, Uros Ljubomirac (90′ Alex da Paixao Alves), Alfred Effiong, Harry Andrew Ascroft, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Milos Lepovic, Steve Bezzina, Bojan Kaljevic (87′ Siraj Arab Eddin), Justin Grioli (74′ Jacob Borg), Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes.
Subs not used: Dorian Bugeja, Clive Brincat, Jamie Zerafa, Zak Grech.
Coach: Marko Micovic

MOSTA Andreas Vella, Ismael Karba Bangoura (73′ Jurgen Grech), Giovanni Nuti (81′ Zachary Brincat), Thomas Veronese, Kyle Frendo (63′ Jan Tanti), Davide Mansi, Tyrone Farrugia, Moussa Soare, Dexter Xuereb, Ivan Maric, Damir Bartulovic.
Subs not used: Dylan Ciappara, Nicholas Farrugia, Liam Portelli, Calvin Camilleri.
Coach: Johann Scicluna

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Maric, Xuereb, Effiong, Mansi
BOV Player of the Match: Milos Lepovic

Meanwhile at the Hibernians Stadium, an early goal paved the way for a 2-0 win for Floriana which enable them to maintain hopes of securing a place in the UEFA Europa League this summer.

Floriana had a perfect start taking the lead on the 2nd minute thanks to Mario Fontanella.

The Greens sealed the issue with a second goal on the 67th minute, once again thanks to Mario Fontanella.

FLORIANA Matthew Farrugia, Sebastian Nayar, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Maurizio Vella, Juninho Cabral, Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini, Dylan Grima (56′ Denilson Borg Castaldi), Mario Fontanella (89′ Bradley Sciberras), Emerson Marcelina.
Subs not used: Chirstopher Farrugia, Jake Stensen, Neil Spiteri, Jamie Delia, Clyde Borg.
Coach: JJ Aquilina Asst. Coach: Nicolas Chiesa

NAXXAR Luan Polli Gomes, Rafael Henriques Santos Caetano, Mailson Souza Duarte Junior (57′ Daren Falzon), Ryan Grech, Manolito Micallef, Matheus Verisimo Casarotto (70′ Duane Bonnici), Mark Fenech (77′ Jurgen Debono), Oussenyou Elhadji Ndoye, Djilali Belhadj, Yuri de Jesus Messias.
Subs not used: Omar Borg, Paul Ellul, Joel Ellul, Ruben Grima.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Emanuel Grech
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana Dusan Petrovic
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Mailson, Ruiz, Vella