With a fourth win in five matches, Balzan extended their unbeaten run to seven matches as they defeated Mosta 5-0.
From their last match against Gzira United, Balzan had to do without injured Alex Da Paixo Alves and sick Steve Bezzina who were replaced by Alfred Effiong and Justin Grioli. On the other hand, Mosta had Ivan Maric suspended and replaced by Rodriguez Ekani, while Kurt Magro returned in midfield instead of Zac Brincat.
For more than an hour, Mosta held Balzan on the edge, even though they were one goal down, but in the last 25 minutes of the game their incompetence in defending set pieces ultimately helped Balzan to win this game all though their merits.
Balzan took the lead in the 14th minute when, off a cross by Alfred Effiong, BOJAN KALJEVIC headed home past goalkeeper Andreas Vella.
On the 28th minute Andreas Vella came out of his place to intercept goal-bound Bojan Kaljevic, following a pass by Paul Fenech.
Mosta stayed composed and disciplined, playing some good football without being dangerous. They lacked a real goal forward, as Leonardo Henrique Ferreira was too isolated even though Zarate provided good service.
Mosta’s best chance came in the first half’s added time. An insidious direct free-kick taken by Thomas Veronese’s, from the edge of the area on the right, was saved with difficulty by Balzan’s goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic.
The second half continued on the same scenario. Mosta failed to build up the tempo and Balzan, even if they had Uros Ljubomirac, Cadu’ and Alfred Effiong doing remarkable work in midfield, there wasn’t good finishing when they got into the penalty area.
On the 66th minute, Balzan doubled the score. Off a corner taken by Ryan Fenech corner, ELKIN ORLANDO SERRANO VALERO headed home giving Andeas Vella no chance to save.
Balzan increased the pressure and in the 73rd minute they increased the score. In a swift counter attack Bojan Kaljevic set ALFRED EFFIONG who, from the edge of the area, managed to beat the Mosta goalkeeper with a delicate touch.
Six minutes later, following a Ryan Fenech’s corner, ELKIN ORLANDO SERRANO VALERO connected a header by Alfred Effiong and tapped the ball home to score his second goal.
Balzan completed an excellent second half performance and seal the issue four minutes from time. Following another corner-kick by Ryan Fenech, ALFRED EFFIONG scored his second goal by heading the ball past goalkeeper Andreas Vella.
On the 88th minute Mosta finished playing with ten men when Davide Mansi was given the marching orders after committing a second bookable offence.
MOSTA : Andreas Vella, Leonardo Henrique Ferreira, Davide Mansi, Thomas Veronese, Kurt Magro, David Ifeanyi Nworah (Zac Brincat 63′), Tyrone Farrugia, Dexter Xuereb, Edison Bilbao Zarate (Jurgen Grech 75′), David Fenech (Giovanni Nuti 41′), Jonas Rodriguez Ekani.
BALZAN : Ivan Janjusevic, Justin Grioli (Jacob Borg 74′), Elkin Serrano Valero, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Ryan Fenech, Bojan Kaljevic, Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Paul Fenech, Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes (Milos Lepovic 63′), Samir Arab (Gary Camilleri 82′).
Referee: Stefan Pace
Player of the match: Alfred Effiong (Balzan)