Balzan collected three precious points in the battle against relegation as they defeated Sirens 4-1 thanks to a hat-trick by Australian forward George Blackwood.

Sirens, on the other hand, have already had their fate sealed and will be playing in the Challenge League next season.

In the first 8 minutes Balzan suffered a setback when Aleksandar Katanic had to leave the pitch injured and was replaced by George Blackwood.

On the half hour, Balzan had a good chance to open the score with a shot from outside the box by Triston Caruana but goalkeeper Cassar made a good save palming the ball into a corner.

From the resulting corner, Andrea Cassar blocked a shot from inside the box by Olivier Rommens and was there again to save the rebound.

Balzan took the lead in the 36th minute when off an assist by Aleksa Andrejic from the left, Ryohei Michibuchi had a shot blocked by a defender but GEORGE BLAKWOOD controlled the ball with his chest before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.

In the second half Balzan continued where they left and in the 50th minute minute, Olivier Rommens saw his low shot stamp the post, with the ball finishing in the goalkeepers hand.

Six minutes later, Balzan had another chance when George Blackwood came face to face with the goalkeeper but Cassar blocked well with the rebound falling to Ryohei Michibuchi whose shot found again goalkeeper Cassar on the alert to turn it into a corner.

In the 65th minute, off a corner taken by Jan Busuttil, the ball was deflected by Nikola Braunovic with the ball falling to GEORGE BLACKWOOD who in turn hit home from close range.

In the 73rd minute, Nikola Braunovic was unlucky to add his name to the scorers as his shot hit the crossbar with the ball finishing out.

A minute later, Sirens were unlucky to reduce the score when a shot from a distance by Prosper Boakye Owusu finished out after hitting the crossbar.

In the 83rd minute, Balzan increased the score when following a cross from the right by Dimeji Awosanya, Nicholas Pulis was unlucky to commit an own goal as he deflected the ball past goalkeeper Cassar.

Four minutes later, Balzan were awarded a penalty after a defender handled the ball inside the area and GEORGE BLACKWOOD converted, sealing a hat-trick for himself.

Three minutes in added time, Sirens scored a consolation goal thanks to PROSPER BOAKYE OWUSU who intercepted the ball on the edge of the area and hit hard past goalkeeper Rudy Briffa.

SIRENS: Andrea Cassar, Prosper Boakye Owusu, Hasan Gomda (Redeemer Cachia 91’), Nicholas Pulis, Harrison Andreas Panayioutou, Hafiz Mohammed Akadom (Charles Agyemang 60’), Daniel Murillo Borrero (Mario Markulev 88’), Kwasi Donsu, Kostantinos Ntampizas, Daniel Agius, Ognejn Ilic (Kevin Muscat 60’).

BALZAN: Rudy Briffa, Andre’ Prates, Samir Arab, Triston Caruana, Jan Busuttil (Benjamin Hili 76’), Ryohei Michibuchi (Marcus Grima 76’), Aleksandar Katanic (George Blackwood 6’), Nikola Zerjal (Han Euigwon 76’), Nikola Braunovic, Olivier Rommens, Aleksa Andrejic (Olutawoliboba Dimeji Awosanya 64′).

Referee Philip Farrugia.

BOV Player of the game: George Blackwood (Balzan)