Floriana registered a deserved win over Balzan, maintaining their perfect record with a fourth win in as many matches.

On the other hand, Balzan suffered their second defeat with a score that was definitely too harsh. Now they fell to six points behind the leaders.

Although Floriana were the better side in the early stages, Balzan soon started to share the exchanges and the first half the score finished goalless.

However, Floriana eventually managed to take the lead, adding another two goals late in the game.

Floriana made only one change from their last match where Adam Magri Overend was preferred to Jan Busuttil.

On the other hand, Balzan had two changes from their last outing as Samir Arab and Paul Fenech were preferred to Marcus Grima and Benjamin Hili.

Floriana went in search of an early goal, going close in the 8th minute with an assist by Kemar Reid for Ulises Arias on the right but the latter’s conclusion finished just wide.

Three minutes later, later Floriana were unlucky as the woodwork prevented them from taking the lead. Matias Garcia served Kemar Reid whose shot from the left finished hitting the crossbar.

In the 8th minute, Balzan replied when Paul Fenech sent an inviting cross to Leonardo da Silva de Souza whose first-time effort ended high.

However, just before the end of the first half, Floriana threatened once again with a cross by Jose Ulises Arias from which Matheus Souza headed wide.

Till the end of the first half neither team was able to find a breakthrough.

In the second half Floriana continued where they left and in the 63rd minute they mangaed to break the deadlock. Magri Overend delivered a cross from the right and KEMAR REID headed the ball home past goalkeeper Danilo Golovic.

In the 70th minute, Balzan went close to equalising when Triston Caruana delivered a cross from the right and Leonardo da Silva de Soua nodded the ball into the path of Andre’ Prates whose first time effort ended over the bar.

Three minutes later, Peter Ukeme Olawale headed high off a corner by Tristan Caruana.

However, Floriana doubled the lead in the 77th minute after being awarded a penalty when Momcilo Raso brought down Matheus Souza inside the are. From the spot, JOSE ULISES ARIAS converted.

In the 81st minute, Paul Fenech was red carded following a second caution for passing remarks to the officials, just after being substituted.

Things turned sour for Balzan when five minutes from the end they conceded a third goal. Kemar Reid entered the area and squared low for substitute MATTIA VESELJI who from close range slotted the ball past Danilo Golovic.

To make matters worse for Balzan, in the 88th minute, Andre’ Prates was sent off after bringing down Dunstan Vella just outside the area.

From the resulting freekick taken by Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, a defender handled the ball inside the area and referee ordered another penalty.

However, Kemar Reid’s effort from the spot was neutralised by the goalkeeper Danilo Golovic.

In stoppage time, Balzan went close to reducing the gap with a header by Momcilo Raso which however hit the woodwork.

BALZAN : Danilo Golovic, Ivan Bozovic, Andre’ Prates, Samir Arab, Paul Fenech (Marcus Grima 81’), Jake Grech (Tristan Caruana 64’), Royhei Michibuchi (Oluwatobiloba Dimeji Awosanya 64’), Aleksandar Katanic (Peter Ukeme Olawale 54’), Momcilo Raso, Leonardo Da Silva Da Souza, Aleksa Andrejic-6 (Manyluek Aguek 81’).

FLORIANA : Georgi Kitanov, Adam Magri Overend, Oualid El Hasni, Ulises Jose Arias (Mattia Veselji 82’), Kemar Reid, Matheus Nogureira Aluguerque de Souza (Kyrian Nwoko 81’), Dunstan Vella (Luca Accarino 91’), Matias Nicolas Garcia (Aleandro Grazia 86’), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, Maksim Valadzko, Alekandros Kouro.

Referee: Ishmael Barbara.

BOV Player of the Match: Ulises Arias (Floriana).