Balzan kept showing the consistency of champions. They are now within reaching distance of being crowned as Champions as they registered their 15th win of the season, against Mosta, and stay one point above the nearest challengers – Valletta.

For this game Balzan made four changes to their starting line-up.  Goalkeeper Sean Mintoff, defenders Harry Andrew Ascroft and Justin Grioli and striker Bojan Kaljevic, replaced injured goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic, defenders Ivan Bozovic and Michael Johnson, while midfielder Alex Da Paixao Alves was left on the bench.

On the other hand, Mosta made five changes. Ismael Karba Bangoura, Giovanni Nuti, Kyle Frendo, Davide Mansi and Moussa Soare started the match instead of Leonardo Henrique Ferreira, Massimo Sammartino, Kurt Magro, Zachary Brincat and David Ifeanyi Nworah.

As expected, Balzan took possession and controlled through-out the whole match. On the other hand Mosta offered little in the way of attacking threat and were very tight at the back. However Balzan were cautious and made sure that they won’t be surprised with counter-attacks.

Balzan created the first chance of the match after 19 minutes, as Justin Grioli hit a low shot from distance that finished wide.

On the 25th minute, Steve Bezzina attempted another shot from distance, but he also failed to hit the target.

However, Balzan took the lead on the 25th minute thanks to a MILOS LEPOVIC’s low drive from outside the penalty area which gave goalkeeper Andreas Vella no chance.

Three minutes later, goalkeeper Andreas Vella denied Balzan from a scoring chance. Following a cross by Milos Lepovic, Alfred Effiong’s header from inside the area was parried out for a corner by Vella.

On the 41st minute, Balzan were unlucky not to double the score. A corner kick which taken Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes was connected by Alfred Effiong, whose header stamped off the post. The rebound fell into Uros Ljubomirac’s path who fired wide.

In the second half, Balzan continued where left off the first and kept Mosta under heavy pressure. However, despite controlling possession, they found it difficult to find openings in the Mosta defence in order to create chances on goal.

In fact, their first opportunity of the second half was created on the 68th minute when Paul Fenech sent a diagonal shot from outside the penalty area that was neutralised by Andreas Vella.

On the 78th minute, Uros Ljubomirac saw his volley from a distance ending up and over.

On the 80th minute, Mosta finally hit back. Following a fast counterattack, substitute Jan Tanti sent the ball into Bartulovic Damic’s path but his powerful shot failed to hit the target.

Balzan sealed the issue on the 85th minute. Alex Da Paixao Alves, who had just replaced Uros Ljubomirac, squared the ball towards another substitute JACOB DOMINCO BORG and the latter hit a thumping shot from inside the penalty area that went past helpless Andreas Vella.

BALZAN : Sean Mintoff, Uros Ljubomirac (Alex da Paixao Alves 80′), Alfred Effiong, Harry Andrew Ascroft, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Milos Lepovic, Steve Bezzina, Bojan Kaljevic (Siraj Arab Eddin 87′), Justin Grioli (Jacob Dominico Borg 74′), Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes.

MOSTA : Andreas Vella, Ismael Karba Bangoura (Jurgen Grech 73′), Giovanni Nuti (Zachary Brincat 81′), Thomas Veronese, Kyle Frendo (Jan Tanti 63′), Davide Mansi, Tyrone Farrugia, Moussa Soare, Dexter Xuereb, Ivan Maric, Damir Bartulovic.
Subs not used: Dylan Ciappara, Nicholas Farrugia, Liam Portelli, Calvin Camilleri.
Coach: Johann Scicluna

Referee: Alan Mario Sant

Player of the Match: Milos Lepovic