Aware of the fact that they have a chance to go on level points with Valletta, Balzan needed a win from this encounter to make up for their defeat against Tarxien Rainbows.

In their starting line-up Balzan made three changes from their last game against Tarxien. Sean Mintoff, Bojan Kaljevic and suspended Milos Lepovic were replaced by Ivan Janjusevic, Siraj Eddin Arab.

On the other hand, Senglea made four changes to the team that won against Mosta. Jurgen Borg, Julian Leyton, Hubert Vella, Braga Gregori replaced Matthew Farrugia, Sergio Uyi, Ian Azzopardi and Matias Garcia.

Balzan started on the offensive looking to find an early goal and in the 15th minute went close. Steve Bezzina’s long range looping header stunned goalkeeper Jurgen Borg, but stamped off the post.

Five minutes later Balzan had another good chance. Steve Bezzina sent an excellent cross towards the unmarked Alfred Effiong who in front of Jurgen Borg failed to connect with the ball.

In the 22nd minute, Senglea replied with a shot from a distance by Peter Sammut which was saved by goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic.

In the 41st minute, Jurgen Borg was their again to save a direct free-kick by Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes.

Two minutes later, Ivan Janjusevic save well a a low shot from distance by Peter Sammut .

Balzan managed to break the deadlock just before break when following a free-kick from the right by Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes, SIRAJ EDDIN ARAB chipped the ball in style with a fine header over Jurgen Borg.

In the second half Balzan came out in search of a second goal and in the 50th minute Jurgen Borg was forced to make a good save over a shot from the edge of the penalty area by Siraj Eddin Arab

Five minutes later a shot by Alex da Paixao Alves finished fractionally wide.

However in the 62nd minute, against the run of play, Senglea levelled matters. After being served by Randall Vella, GONZALO NICOLAS VIRANO fired a stunning shot from a distance which gave goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic no chance.

Balzan immediately substitutes Siraj Eddin Arab with Bojan Kaljevic to energise the tream.

It took them some time to react but finally it paid dividends as Balzan regain the lead on the 75th minute when off a free kick taken by Ryan Fenech, Michael Johnson headed the ball in the direction of BOJAN KALJEVIC who flicked the ball home from close range.

Balzan were applying pressure. And they kept doing so with keeper Borg holding out another effort by Bojan Kaljevic in the 78th minute.

In the remaining minutes, Balzan were happy to sit back and defend their lead as they secured three important points that might be decisive.

Balzan : Ivan Janjusevic, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic (Justin Grioli 77’), Alex Da Paixao Alves, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech (Ryan Fenech 58’), Siraj Eddin Arab (Bojan Kaljevic 64’), Steve Bezzina, Alfred Effiong, Michael Johnson, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes

Senglea Athletic : Jurgen Borg (Roderick Debattista 90’), Jonathan Bondin, Steve Bonnici, Julian Leyton, Randal Vella, Hubert Vella, Gonzalo Virano, Ivan Paz, Augusto Caseres (Terence Vella 88’), Braga Gregori, Peter Sammut

Referee: Clayton Pisani

BOV Player of the Match: Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes