After four successive draws against Floriana, Hibernians, Birkirkara and, Naxxar L, Balzan returned to victory as they defeated Gudja 2-0
Considering the results of this weekend matches, the first verdicts for the Premier League 2023-24 are that Gudja United and Sirens are now both mathematically condemned to the Challenge League next season and Melita and Zabbar SP promoted to play in the Premier League 2024/2025.
In fact, with 5 games still to be played, Sirens who are second from bottom on 9 points, and Gudja United who are ranked bottom with 6 points cannot leapfrog Santa Lucia who are fifth-from-bottom with 25 points.
Now we have to wait for the outcome from the remaining last 5 games to be able to know which two other teams from Valletta, Mosta, Sta Lucia, Balzan, Naxxar L and Gzira U will be joining Gudja U and Sirens to the Challenge League 2024/2025.
As from the beginning of the game Balzan came out showing their intentions, determined to take the three points home as they dominated the game from the beginning till the end.
In the 6th minute, a direct free-kick by Olivier Rommens finished just wide.
In the 11th minute, it was George Blackwood who tried his luck but he found goalkeeper Felix Lehtinen to deny him.
In the 14th minute, a free-kick taken by Jan Busuttil finished just over the cross-bar.
In the 20th minute, goalkeeper Felix Lehtinen performed a very good save over an attempt by Ryohei Michibuchi.
In the 22nd minute, in an isolated Gudja counter attack, Shaisen Attard’s attempt to goal finished out, hitting the side netting.
In the 29th minute, following a cross from the left, Jan Busuttil’s shot to goal was pushed away to safety with difficulty by the goalkeeper.
Felix Lehtinen was there to save other attempts from a header by George Blackwood and a free-kick by Aleksa Andrejic.
This was the prelude for Balzan to take the lead, one minute from the end of the first half, thanks to ALEKSA ANDREJIC who received a through pass from the right and managed to beat goalkeeper Felix Lehtinen with a low shot from the edge of the area.
In the second half Balzan continued where they left but with a lower rythem, although in the 67th minute Aleksa Andrejic had a good oportunity to score but goalkeeper Lehtinen denied him once more.
A minute later, Balzan doubled the score. Following a clearance by the Gudja defence, TRISTON CARUANA took the rebound and finished home with a fine volley from outside the area.
BALZAN: Rudy Briffa, Andre’ Prates, Samir Arab, Triston Caruana, Jan Busuttil (Jake Grech 88’), Benjamin Hili (Nikola Zerjal 60), Ryohei Michibuchi (Oluwatobiloba Dimeji Awosanya 80’), Nikola Braunovic, Olivier Rommens, Aleksa Andrejic (Han Euigwon 88’), Henry Blackwood (Aleksandar Katanic 60’).
GUDJA: Felix Alvar Olavi Lehtinen, Armando Melo do Santos Brennen, Shaisen Attard, Roberto Matias Muchardi, Josimar Aldair Quintero (Aidan Jake Friggieri 58’), Mathias Conti (Ibrahim Salis 79’), Luca Gatt, Walter Omar Serrano (Rodrigue Nanitelamio 46’), Zak Grech (Neil Tabone 58’), Mirko Esposito, Gianluca Zammit (Ernesto Gentile 79’).
Referee: Daniel Casha.
BOV Player of the game: Aleksa Andrejic (Balzan)