After collecting maximum points from their last three matches, Birkirkara were favourites for a win, considering that Balzan struggled, failing to win any of their last six matches.

Birkirkara and Balzan took a point each from an interesting and balanced encounter. Balzan were the best side, building a two-goal lead in the first half but credit has to be given to the Birkirkara who produced a good display, hitting back with two goals in the second half, to level matters.

Balzan could not have a better start, as in the 5^th minute they took the lead when UROS LJUBOMIRAC received the ball on the left and dribbled his way before beating goalkeeper Alessandro Guarnone with a fine rising shot.

Birkirkara failed to react and it was only in the 34^th minute that they went near when Roderick Briffa delivered a cross from the right flank a volley which was connected by Federico Falcone who just missed the target.

Three minutes later an acrobatic conclusion by Federico Falcone failed to find the net.

However, three minutes later, Balzan missed a good opportunity when, from a cross by Samir Arab, Stefan Dimic headed wide.

A minute from the break and Balzan doubled their lead. Oscar Carniello pulled Stefan Dimic down inside the area. From the resultant penalty, AUGUSTINE LOOF did not fail to convert, making it 2 – 0.

The second half was much different from the first forty-five minutes. Birkirkara came out better and in the space of six minutes, they levelled matters.

In the 55^th minute, Birkirkara reduced the gap. Roderick Briffa’s free-kick from the left created havoc inside the area and the ball reached FEDERICO FALCONE who hit hard past goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes.

In the 61^st minute, Birkirkara leveled matters. Claudio Bonanni picked up a short clearance and chipped the ball for CAIN ATTARD to control and managed to beat the Vukasin Vranes with an angled shot.

In the 65^th minute, Balzan went near in regaining their lead when off a Steven Pisani cross Moussa Kamara headed high over the bar.

In the 79^th minute, off a cross by Stefan Dimic, Pedro Mota de Lima went close for Balzan with a shot ending just wide.

Birkirkara could have notched the winner in the dying minutes. In the 85^th minute, goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes blocked an angled shot from the right by Luke Montebello.

On another occasion, five minutes from time, following a corner by Caio Prado, Luke Montebello was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a header.

And a minute from the end Caio Prado, with only Vukasin Vranes to beat, wasted a good chance blasting high.

BIRKIRKARA: Alessandro Guarnone, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam, Luke Montebello, Roderick Briffa (Reginald Mbu Alidor 85’), Kurt Zammit, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni, Caio Prado, Oscar Carniello.

BALZAN: Vukasin Vranes, Augustine Loof, Samir Arab, Paul Fenech, Steve Pisani, Steve Bezzina (Gary Camilleri 72’), Uros Ljubomirac, Stefan Dimic (Alfred Effiong 88’), Pedro Mota (Neil Frendo 92’), Sean Cipriott (Eric McWoods 72’), Moussa Kamara.

Referee: Glen Tonna

BOV Player of the Match: Uros Ljubomirac