Balzan registered a most impressive 4-1 win over NK Domzale in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round at the Sportni park Domzale on Thursday.
A score which leaves Oliver Spiteri’s side as firm favourites ahead of the second leg , in programme on Tuesday at the Centenary Stadium, with a clash with the winner of the tie FC Vaduz (LIE) – FC Neman Grodno (BLR) in the second qualifying round at stake.
Spiteri named new signings Danilo Golovic, Triston Caruana, Jake Grech and Peter Olawale in the starting line-up.
Balzan forged ahead on the 8th minute when off a cross by Ivan Bozovic, Aleksa Andrejic’s diving header was partially saved by the goalkeeper but Andrejic managed to slot the ball past Tratnik.
One minute from the end of the first half, Balzan doubled the score when Jake Grech converted a penalty after Caruana was brought down inside the area by Markus.
Eight minutes in the second half, Balzan made it 3-0. Jake Grech delivered a corner from the right and Peter Olawale rose high to head the ball home past the Domzale goalkeeper.
Domzale reduced the gap four minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Repas was brought down inside the area and from the penalty spot, Franko Kovacevic converted.
Two minutes from time, substitute Zeni Husmani was sent off for Domzale for hitting an opponent.
Four minutes in added time, Balzan made it 4-1 thanks to substitute Nikola Zerjal who slotted the ball past the Slovenian goalkeeper following a perfect assist by Angel Torres.
DOMZALE Gasper Tratnik, Mirko Mutavcic, Andrej Djuric, Benjamin Markus, Franko Kovacevic, Mario Krstovski (83′ Gasper Cerne), Ziga Repas, Edin Julardzija (46′ Jost Pisek)(64′ Zeni Husmani), Abraham Nwankwo, Daniel Sturm (58’ Luka Topalovic).
BALZAN Danilo Golovic, Ivan Bozovic, Samir Arab, Tristan Caruana, Paul Fenech (61′ Ryohei Michibuchi), Angel Torres, Peter Olawale (71′ Manyluak Aguek), Jake Grech, Nikola Braunovic, Momcilo Raso, Aleksa Andrejic (83′ Nikola Zerjal).
Referee: Paul Mclaughlin IRL
Assistant referees: Darragh Keegan, Christopher Campbell IRL
Fourth official: Rob Harvey IRL