Balzan were promoted to the Malta Premier while Birzebbuga St. Peter’s and Swieqi United will be facing each other in a promotion decider following match day 22 of the BOV Challenge League on Sunday.
At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Balzan defeated Melita 2-0 to win the championship and a quick return to the top division. Sean Cipriott put Balzan ahead on 15 minutes and Samir Arab doubled the score eight minutes in the second half.
After the game, Balzan were presented with the trophy by Malta FA Senior Vice President Dr Matthew Paris and BOV Chief Operations Officer Ernest Agius.
Photo courtesy of Malta FA
Swieqi United, on the other hand, were held in a 1-1 draw by Fgura United at the Centenary Stadium. Paul Fenech put Swieqi ahead on 18 minutes but Karl Formosa equalised on 70 minutes.
On the other hand, at the Luxol Stadium, Birzebbuga St. Peter’s came from behind to beat Sirens 3-2. Trezeguet Zammit put Sirens ahead on 5 minutes and although Matthew Xuereb equalised on 31 minutes, in added time before the end of the first half, Thiago Nonato made it 2-1 for SIrens. Leo Agius restored equilibrium on 49 minutes and Daniel Zerafa notched the winner six minutes later.
In another match from the Top 8, Pieta’ Hotspurs and St. Andrews shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Ethan Brincat Winters put the Saints ahead on 26 minutes but goals by Arthur Stelmach on 58 minutes and Sam Farrugia on 64 minutes put the Hotspurs 2-1 ahead. Andrej Nakov equalised two minutes in added time.
Balzan finished their commitments with 48 points, followed by Swieqi and Birzebbuga on 46, Melita 38, Sirens and Pieta’ 35, Fgura 32 and St. Andrews 27.
In a match from the Play-Out, Santa Lucia defeated Mtarfa 5-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Jean Carlos converted a penalty on 17 minutes and eight minutes later, Filip Petkovski doubled the score. Petkovski added another on 41 minutes and Matthias Vella made it 4-0 two minutes later. Luke Camilleri reduced the gap for Mtarfa five minutes in the second half but Shalon Diacono made it 5-1 on 70 minutes.
In the Play-Out, Mgarr obtained 33 points, followed by Gudja on 32, Santa Lucia 30, Zurrieq 27, Vittoriosa 21, Zebbug 20, Marsa 17 and Mtarfa -2.