Balzan scored twice in the second half as they came from behind to beat Marsaxlokk 2-1 at the National Stadium.

Alexander Satariano helped Balzan return to winning ways after losing to Gudja United in their previous outing to move back three points behind the leaders. Marsaxlokk, on the other hand, suffered the third defeat in four matches with goalkeeper José Maria Gobbi having a night to forget. They played a good first half but two goals which could have been avoided cost them the points.

Balzan made two changes since their defeat to Gudja U where Alex Satariano and Aleksa Andrejic were handed their debut, replacing Milan Djuric and Matheus Nogureira Albuguerque de Souza. On the other side Marsaxlokk had one change from the narrow defeat to Hamrun as Conor Borg replaced Ayrton Attard.

Balzan started off promisingly, quickly putting Marsaxlokk on the back foot before they found their feet.

Three minutes later, Aleksa Andrejic served Paul Fenech whose shot from a distance finished just high.

In the 5th minute, Angel Yesid Torres Quinone went close for Balzan when his direct inswinger from a corner eluded the Marsaxlokk defence with the ball bouncing on the crossbar.

In the 19th minute, Leandro Aguirre whipped in a teasing cross that pinged around the penalty box before Fabian Moracci Santiago’s final shot was saved by Jonathan Debono.

In the 24th minute, Marsaxlokk took the lead in stunning style when ADRIAN SANTIAGO FERRARIS launched an unstoppable direct free-kick into the top left-hand corner, giving no chance to goalkeeper Jonathan Debono.

The score remained 1-0 for Marsaxlokk till the half-time whistle.

After a dull start to the second half, Balzan equalised in the most atrocious circumstances.

Eight minutes into the second half, Alexander Satariano chased down Christopher Uzeh Edafe’s back-pass to his goalkeeper José Maria Gobbi . ALEXANDER SATARIANO managed to steal the ball a few metres from the goal and rounded a defender before placing the ball at the back of the net.

In the 63rd minute, Balzan took the lead. Any hopes that goalkeeper Joe Maria Gobbi had of regaining his composure disappeared in the 63 minute when he let the ball slip under his body after Aleksa Andrejic received the ball from Alexander Satariano, squared it for ANGEL YESID TORRES QUINONE who hit a low drive goalwards.

In the 79th minute, substitute Bojan Kaljevic saw his central shot saved by goalkeeper Jose Maria Gobbi.

In the dying minutes of the game, goalkeeper Jonathan Debono ensured a victory for Balzan, blocking a point-blank header by Fabian Moracci Santiago.

MARSAXLOKK : Jose Maria Gobbi, Edafe Christopher Uzeh, Conor Borg (Aryton Attard 65’), Walter Omar Serrano, Emerson Vella (Alfred Effiong 71’), Adrian Ferraris Santiago, Leandro Aguirre, Fabian Santiago Moracci, Wellington Valentim De Sousa (Daniel Agius 65’), Dejan Vukanic, AdanTiago Fonesca.

BALZAN: Jonathan Debono, Ivan Bozovic (Duvan Diver Torres quinone 88’), Marcus Grima, Paul Fenech, Angel Yesid Torres Quinone, Benjamin Hili (Samir Arab 88’), Uros Ljubomirac, Milos Zlatkovic, Alex Satariano (Bojan Kalejvic 77’), Momcilo Raso, Aleksa Andrejic ( 64 Matheus Noguriera Abelquerque da Sousa 64’).

Referee: Stefan Pace.

BOV player of the match: Alexander Satariano (Balzan).