This win puts Floriana in third place and leaving Balzan on the six-point mark as they suffer a fourth defeat this season.

Balzan made three changes from the last game against Mosta. Goalkeeper Jake Galea made his debut, replacing Vukasin Vranes while Gary Camilleri and Sean Cipriott replaced injured Michael Johnson and Milan Djuric.

On the other hand, Floriana preferred to start with Eugeniu Rebenja and Brandon Paiber instead of Jan Busuttil and Augusto Caseres.

Although this game was balanced, with both teams determined to get the three points, most of the play was concentrated in midfield with very few attempts at goal.

In the 25th minute, Balzan had the first shot at goal. Following a free-kick, Paul Fenech saw his shot from outside the area ending over the bar.

Two minutes later, Floriana took the lead. Ryan Camenzuli entered the area from the left and served Eugeniu Rebejna who passed the ball to ULISES ARIAS who in turn controlled the ball before hitting past goalkeeper Jake Galea.

In the 38th minute, Balzan replied with a cross from the left by Gary Camilleri from which Bojan Kaljevic’s header was parried by goalkeeper Georgi Kitanov.

In the 40th minute, both sides ended in ten men as Augustine Loof and Kristian Keqi were both double-cautioned and sent off, following persistent arguments between them.

In the second half, Balzan came out in search of the equaliser. Bojan Kaljevic anticipated Georgi Kitanov with a header following a cross from the right but Christian Rutjens cleared the ball on the line into safety.

A minute later, a cross-shot from the right by Matias Garcia was parried by goalkeeper Jake Galea.

In the 48th minute, Balzan leveled matters. Bojan Kaljevic received the ball on the right and served ALEX DA PAIXAO ALVES who dribbled past two defenders in style before hitting past the goalkeeper Georgi Kitanov.

In the 58th minute, Alex da Paixao Alves threatened once again when he was served by Marcus Grima and hit an angled shot from the left which scraped past the far post following a slight deflection by a defender.

Three minutes later, another effort from the edge of the area by Alex da Paixao Alves hit the crossbar.

However, in the 66th minute, despite Balzan’s effort, Floriana regained the lead. In a fast beak, following a cross by Zachary Cassar from the left, JAN BUSUTTIL, who was at the right place and the right time, hit the ball home past the Balzan goalkeeper.

In the dying minutes, Floriana could have added another but attempts by Andrei Ciolacu and Daniel Agius were both blocked.

BALZAN : Jake Galea, Augustine Loof, Samir Arab, Marcus Grima (Adam Bradshaw 90’), Paul Fenech (Pedro Mota 71’), Alex da Paixao, Milos Zlatkovic, Gary Camilleri (Neil Frendo 80’), Milos Mijic (Milan Djuric 80’), Bojan Kaljevic, Sean Cipriott (Aleksa Andrejic 71’).

FLORIANA : Georgi Kitanov, Adam Magri Overend (Aleandro Garzia-80’), Christian Rutjens, Zachary Cassar, Kristian Keqi, Ulises Jose Arias (Andrei Ciolacu 52’), Matias Nicolas Garcia, Brandon Paiber (Daniel Agius 80’), Emiliano Callegari, Eugeniu Rebenja (Augusto Caseres 52’), Ryan Camenzuli (Jan Busuttil 62’).

Referee: Glen Tonna

BOV Player of the Match: Alex da Paixao Alves