Valletta registered their second win as they defeated Balzan 1-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday.

It was an early goal by Kyrian Nwoko which handed Valletta the three points. The Citizens are therefore the only team with maximum points after two matches but Floriana and Hamrun Spartans could join them on Sunday should they beat Hibernians and Santa Lucia respectively.

Balzan, on the other hand, suffer their first defeat after collecting the three points in their first outing.

Mark Miller’s side could have taken the lead on the 3rd minute when off a cross by Weverton Gomes, Uros Ljubomirac hit the crossbar.

However, on the 9th, Kyrian Nwoko pounced on a short clearance by Augustine Loof and beat Mintoff with a powerful shot which hit the bar before ending at the back of the net.

Balzan were reduced to ten men on the 90th minute as Eric McWoods was sent off.

BALZAN Sean Mintoff, Augustine Loof, Samir Arab (76′ Alfred Effiong), Paul Fenech (87′ Marcus Grima), Eric Lemond McWoods, Steve Pisani, Michael Johnson, Uros Ljubomirac, Markos Ermis Moustakis (65′ Suleiman Jalu), Weverton Gomes Souza, Moussa Kamara.
Subs not used: Andy Catania Gilson, Steve Bezzina, Neil Frendo, Gary Camilleri.
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Joseph Grech

VALLETTA Henry Bonello, Jonathan Caruana, Santiago Malano, Taylon Correa (87′ Taisei Marukawa), Shaun Dimech (59′ Triston Caruana), Kyrian Nwoko, Joseph Zerafa, Eslit Sala (22′ Enmy Pena Beltre), Rowen Muscat, Leandro Aguirre (87′ Ryan Camilleri), Mihailo Jovanovic.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Nicholas Pulis, Ryan Tonna.
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa
Asst. Coach: Gilbert Agius

Referee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Ivan Galea
Fourth Official: Alex Johnson
Yellow Cards: Pena Beltre, McWoods, Zerafa
Red Cards: 90′ Eric McWoods
BOV Player of the Match: Rowen Muscat