A stunning performance by Yuri Messias helped Gudja United to obtain a 3-2 victory over Balzan. He was the star of the show as he netted an extraordinary hat-trick as Balzan defenders seemed helpless to stop him.
This win puts Gudja U temporarily in fourth place. On the other hand, Balzan sustained the third defeat this season which leaves them in tenth place.
Gudja could not have a better start as they went in front inside the 2nd minute thanks to a shot from outside the area by YURI MESSIAS which gave goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes no chance.
Balzan reacted strongly and managed to draw level in the 7th minute. Paul Fenech took possession in midfield and quickly set UROS LJUBOMIRAC who immediately unleashed a powerful low drive which left no chance for goalkeeper Glenn Zammit to save.
From then on the match remained balanced with neither side holding the edge.
It had to be the second moment of magic from Yuri Messias for Gudja to gain the initiative. In the 43rd minute off a cross by Justin Grioli, YURI MESSIAS controlled the ball in midfield and dribbled past two defenders before beating the Balzan goalkeeper with another shot from outside the area.
After the break, Gudja kept the initiative and managed to add a third in the 56th minute when Gabriel Mensah dribbled his way inside the area and chipped the ball towards YURI MESSIAS who blasted the ball home with a scissors kick.
Four minutes into the added time, Balzan managed to score a consolation goal when off a cross by Stefan Dimic from the left, Eric McWoods served substitute ALFRED EFFIONG who managed to beat goalkeeper Glenn Zammit with a low drive.
GUDJA:Glenn Zammit, Yuri Messias (Augusto Caseres 87′), Aidan Friggieri (Jurgen Farrugia 78′), Llywelyn Cremona, Gabriel Mensah (Terence Vella 87′), Imanol Gonzalez, Goran Adamovic (Neil Anthony Micallef 17′), Juan Bolanos, Justin Grioli, Dale Camilleri, Patrick Silva Mota.
BALZAN :Vukasin Vranes, Augustine Loof, Samir Arab, Paul Fenech (Neil Frendo 85′), Eric McWoods, Steve Pisani, Steve Bezzina (Alfred Effiong 73′), Uros Ljubomirac, Stefan Dimic, Sean Cipriott (Pedro Mota de Lima 66′), Moussa Kamara (Zak Grech 85′).
Referee: Daniel Portelli
BOV Player of the Match: Yuri Messias