With just two matches to play before the end of the campaign, it is now obvious that Valletta have become absolute favourites to win the title. This was a precious victory for the Tarxien R who, although not yet out of trouble, lifted themselves to a better place in the standings.

Tarxien had a good start as they could had taken the lead on seven minutes when Ricardo Silva Faria served Boubacar Traore who finished into the net, but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.

Following this incident Balzan here took the initiative but rarely looked dangerous in front of goal.

Despite this, in the 35th minute, Tarxien surprisingly took the lead. It was Ricardo Silva Faria who again delivered a crossed to BOUBACAR TRAORE whose dipping header stunned goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

Balzan reacted and in the 41st minute, Bojan Kaljevic controlled the ball well, but saw his effort well saved by goalie Andrea Cassar.

Just before the interval, Balzan had another chance as Alex da Paixao Alves dribbled past a couple of defenders but his good effort finished over the crossbar.

After the break, Balzan were more determined and after 4 minutes Andrea Cassar made a good save off an effort by Uros Ljubomirac.

On the 52nd minute Alex da Paixao Alves had another good effort finishing wide.

Balzan went close to an equalizer in the 58th minute as Michael Johnson hit the crossbar with a header, followed by another save by Andrea Cassar save on a Paul Fenech’s shot.

Despite Balzan’s effort, Tarxien doubled the score in the 75th minute. Boubacar Traore dribbled past Michael Johnson in midfield and sent a ball to unmarked EDUARDO CALIN who finished the ball into the net with a stunning shot from outside the area. , which gave Sean Mintoff no chance

Three minutes later, Balzan pulled one back when ALEX DA PAIXAO ALVES received the ball on the edge of the area and finished the ball into the far post.

Balzan insisted but, in the 83rd minute, things went worse for them as they finished playing with 10 men. Balzan players appealed for a penalty on Milos Lepovic but the referee opted to show a yellow card to Lepovic for simulation, this being his second one.

In the 86th minute, Tarxien sealed the issue with a third goal through SAMBA TOUNKARA who concluded a good run with a low shot which beat the goalkeeper Sean Montoff.

TARXIEN : Andrea Cassar, Stefan Radovanovic, Ebiabowei Baker, Gabriel Aquilina (Godwin McKay 63′), Luke Grech, Andre Scicluna, Samba Tounkara, Boubacar Faye Traore (Wellington de Oliveira Vieira 80′), Eduard Marian Calin, Ricardo Silva Faria, Sean Cipriott (Andrew Agius 83′).

BALZAN : Sean Mintoff, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic (Jacob Borg 71′), Alex da Paixao Alves, Elkin Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Milos Lepovic, Steve Bezzina, Bojan Kaljevic, Michael Johnson (Siraj Arab Eddin 77′), Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit