Although Valletta had the upper edge over Balzan in terms of possession, however, the match ended all square. A draw which hardly made any difference for the two teams as Balzan remain eighth, on 14 points and Valletta joining Gzira and Mosta in ninth place on 11 points.

The Balzan defence, in particular keeper Danilo Golovic, was kept busy during an action-packed first half.

In the 12th minute, following a corner taken by Brandon Paiber, David Garba saw his header finishing wide.

Balzan reacted and in the 20th minute when Aleksandar Katanic saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Jake Grech.

A minute later Dimeji Awosanya sent a through pass to Paul Fench whose his shot from a distance finished just wide.

In the 24th minute, Balzan had another effort by Nikola Braunovic save without difficulty by goalkeeper Jake Galea

In the 25th minute, substitute Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao saw his one-on-one effort saved by goalkeeper Danilo Golovic. From the rebound Andrè Prates showed excellent bravery, clearing the ball off the line, to deny Federico Vega.

Seconds later an effort by Shaun Dimech was saved without difficulty by Danilo Golovic.

Valletta insisted and in the 38th minute, Victor Luiz Prestes saw his shot from inside the box finish wide.

A minute before the break, Dimeji Awosanya of Balzan saw his two attempts saved saved by Jake Galea, with the teams leaving the pitch with the result standing 0-0.

The second half, started in torrential rain, which persisted throughout the rest of the match, drenching the players.

Balzan had the first attempt to goal when, following a cross by Dimeji Awosanya, Aleksandear Katanic headed the ball inches out.

Valletta gradually took control of the game and continued pressing but found difficulty penetrating the Balzan defence and failed to find the target.

In the 58th minute, David Garba made some lovely triangulation down the right channel with Brandon Paiber and Jhonnattan with the latter finally sending a pass into the box but David Garba failed to connect to the ball in front of a gaping goal.

Valletta continued to look the more likely to score and in the 75th minute, Jhonnattaan’s header missed the target, following a cross by Brandon Paiber.

In the 82nd minute, Awosanya saw his shot form a distance finishing high over the crossbar.

In the end, Brandon Paiber was unlucky not to score when he saw his fierce strike finishing just wide.

BALZAN: Danilo Golovic, Ivan Bozovic (Nikola Zerjal 91′), Andre Prates, Samir Arab (Diego Farrugia 91’), Paul Fenech, Jake Grech, Oluwatoliboba Dimeji Awosanya, Ryhoe Michibuchi (Benjamin Hili 77’), Aleksandar Katanic (Peter Ukeme Olawele 68′), Nikola Braunovic (Triston Caruana 46′), Momcilo Raso

VALLETTA: Jake Galea, Juan Bolanos Ramires, Enzo Ruiz, Fernando Omar Barrientos, Shaun Dimech (Alfred Hamanjoda Silas 91′), Federico Falcone (Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao 22’), Brandon Diego Paiber, Victor Luiz Prestes Filho, Federico Dario Jose Vega, Neil Anthony Micallef, David Emmanuel Garba

Referee: Matthew de Gabriele

BOV Player of the game: Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta)