In a highly intensive and contested game, Balzan lost their second game of the season against Valletta FC 1 – 4.

From last week’s win over Pieta H, Balzan had Nenad Slijvic, Elkin Serrano and Milos Lepovic replacing Justin Grioli, Dale Camilleri and Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte. On the other hand Valletta had injured Santiago Malano replaced by Raed Ibrahim Saleh.

Match highlights Valletta 4 Balzan 1

Match highlights Valletta F.C. 4 Balzan F.C. 1Scorers: 3' Ljubomaric (B), 44', 47' Mario Fontanella, 73' Bojan Kaljevic, 87' Enmy Manuel Peña Beltre (V)Source L-ARGUMENT

Posted by Valletta FC Fans on Monday, October 8, 2018

 

Balzan could not have a better start, taking an early lead on the 3rd minute. Following a mistake by Rowen Muscat, Alfred Effiong took hold of possession and delivered the ball towards UROS LJUBOMIRAC who finished past Henry Bonello, with a perfect diagonal shot from the right.

Balzan decided to play cautiously and attack in fast breakaways. On the other hand Valletta attacked for long stretches and they went close on at least two occasions.

On the 18th minute Enmy Pena Beltre picked up a short rebound and hit a thumping drive that came off the bar with Steve Sultana beaten.

In the 27th minute, Enmy Pena Beltre threatened again when he dribbled his way into the area but his shot was partially saved by Sultana. Bojan Kaljevic was first on the rebound but he hit the side-netting.

Soon after, at the other end, from a corner-kick taken by Milos Lepovic, Elkin Serrano Valero saw his beautiful first time shot finishing just over.

On the 40th minute, from another Enmy Beltre’s low cross, Kaljevic saw his effort going wide.

At the other end, Alfred Effiong set Uros Ljubomirac in the area, but his effort was blocked by a Valletta defender.

Valletta levelled matters on the stroke of half-time when, following a cross by Miguel Angel Alba, Bojan Kaljevic nodded the ball towards Enmy Pena Beltre who anticipated goalkeeper Steven Sultana with the ball falling into MARIO FONTANELLA’s path with his diagonal shot from the left hitting the foot of the upright before the ball ending at the back of the net.

It took just one minute into the second half for Valletta to forge ahead. Bojan Kaljevic set MARIO FONTANELLA who managed to beat Steven Sultana for the second time, with an angled shot.

On 56 minutes Andrija Majdevac took advantage of a defensive mishap to storm through but was denied by goalkeeper Bonello.

A minute later Nenad Slivjic set Alfred Effiong clear but the Balzan striker was denied by the Henry Bonello.

Alfred Effiong missed another open chance just past the hour when he was played in by Andrija Majdevac but his shot was deflected, scraping the post.

In the 62nd minute Alex Da Paixao Alves saw his shot deviated into a corner by a defender.

Three minutes later, Matteo Piciollo set Mario Fontanella in the area, but Michael Johnson blocked his effort.

In the 72nd minute, Mario Fontanella made his way through unhindered but had his shot blocked by back-tracking Nenad Sljivic. The ball fell to BOJAN KALJEVIC whose shot was deviated by a Balzan defender before ending at the back of the net.

In the 81st minute, Balzan goalkeeper Steven Sultana denied Raed Ibrahaim Saleh with a great save.

Two minutes later, Mario Fontanella advanced into the box, but with only goalkeeper Steven Sultana to beat, he only fired the ball wide.

In 86th minute, after a solo run on the right flank, ENMY PENA BELTRE scored the final goal sealing the issue on 4 – 1,

VALLETTA : Henry Bonello, Steve Borg, Matteo Piciollo (Ryan Camilleri 65′), Jean Borg, Enmy Pena Beltre, Joseph Zerafa, Raed Ibrahim Saleh (Bogdan Gavrila 83′), Rowen Muscat, Miguel Angel Alba, Bojan Kaljevic (Jonathan Caruana 78′), Mario Fontanella.

 BALZAN : Steve Sultana, Nenad Slijvic (Justin Grioli 90′), Alex da Paixao Alves (Siraj Arab Eddin 84′), Steve Bezzina (Sean Cipriott 76′), Michael Johnson, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano Valero, Andrija Majdevac, Milos Lepovic.

Referee: Stefan Pace

BOV Player of the Match: Mario Fontanella