With a goal on either side of half-time, Valletta defeated Balzan 2-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday to join Hibernians, Senglea Athletic, Sirens and Floriana on the seven-point mark, one behind leaders Hamrun Spartans.

This was therefore the third consecutive positive result for Darren Abdilla’s side after the defeat to Santa Lucia in the opening match. On the other hand, for Balzan this was the second defeat from the last three matches.

Valletta took the lead on the 27th minute when off an assist by Mario Fontanella from the right, Bojan Kaljevic slammed the ball home past goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski.

The Citizens doubled the score on the 75th minute when off a corner by Nicholas Pulis from the right, there was a header by Balzan defender Ivan Bozovic and Irakli Dzaria controlled before hitting past Naumovski.

BALZAN Kristijan Naumovski, Aleksandar Kosoric, Nenad Sljivic, Steve Bezzina (74’ Lydon Micallef), Paul Fenech, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Ryan Scicluna (73’ Marcus Grima), Ricardo Correa, Arthur Faria Machado (57’ Luke Montebello).
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Steve Pisani, Zachary Karl Grech, Michael Johnson.
Coach: Jacques Scerri
Asst. Coach: Andrea Pisanu

VALLETTA Henry Bonello, Steve Borg, Bojan Kaljevic (82’ Kyrian Nwoko), Shaun Dimech, Jean Borg, Enmy Pena Beltre, Joseph Zerafa, Rowen Muscat (78’ Yuri de Jesus Messias), Irakli Dzaria, Mario Fontanella, Kevin Tulimieri (69’ Nicholas Pulis).
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Jonathan Caruana, Ryan Camilleri, Matteo Piciollo.
Coach: Darren Abdilla
Asst. Coach: Gilbert Agius

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Luke Portelli
Fourth Official: Emanuel Grech
Yellow Cards: Sljivic, Muscat, J. Borg, Bozovic, Zerafa
BOV Player of the Match: Mario Fontanella
Attendance: 1,509