Valletta returned to winning ways as a goal late by Victor Filho in the first half handed them a narrow win over Balzan.

This defeat leaves Balzan in troubled waters as the relegation issue is now rather complicated with Naxxar L, Gzira U, Balzan, Mosta, Santa Lucia and Valletta still in danger.

Valletta are still third from bottom on 24 points, just three points away from safety. In their last two games of the season they have to face Naxxar Lions and Gudja United

On the other hand, Balzan are still not mathematically safe as they are now just four points above the red zone, having to face Mosta and Marsaxlokk in their last two games of the season

For this game Balzan made only one change to their line-up as captain Paul Fenech took his place instead of suspended Ryohei Michibuchi.

In their starting line-up for this must-win match Valletta made two changes where Christian Gauci and Santiago Ferraris replaced suspended Juan Bolanos and Fernando Barrientos.

The first round encounter between Valletta and Balzan finished in a goalless draw.

In the 8th minute, Balzan threatened first through Triston Caruana, just to see his direct freekick go wide from Alessandro Guarnone’s goal.

In the 28th minute, Valletta replied through a Keyon Ewurum’s long-range effort which sailed over Balzan’s cross bar.

In the 40th minute, Valletta took the lead when Christian Gauci sent a long-ball from the back which was met by Federico Falcone who headed the ball towards VICTOR LUIZ PRESTES FILHO who in turn lobbed the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Rudy Briffa, with the ball finishing into an empty net.

In the second half Balzan sieged the Valletta rearguard with the Citizens’ desperate defensive efforts finally rewarded.

In the 54th minute Balzan were close to level terms when following a pass from George Blackwood, Jan Busuttil’s close-range drive finished scraping Alessandro Guarnone’s goal.

Balzan continued to create more chances however Olivier Rommens failed to really test the goalkeeper with his long-range efforts.

One minute from normal time, Oluwatobilobla Dimeji Awosanya was very close to level matters but his strike was deviated into a corner by a defender and after hitting the post.

VALLETTA: Alessandro Guarnone; Adrian Ferraris Santiago, Goncalo Braganca De Oliveira Viera, Jake Azzopardi (Zak Barbara 86’), Chirstian Gauci, Keyon Ewurum (Jhonnattan Benites Da Conceicao 75’), Federico Falcone, Brandon Diego Paiber, Victor Luiz Prestes Filho, Alfred Hamanjoda Silas (Milan Jezdimirovic 75’), David Emmanuel Garba (Enzo Ruiz 86‘).

BALZAN: Rudy Briffa; Andre’ Prates, Samir Arab (Han Euigwon 79’), Triston Caruana, Paul Fenech (Benjamin Hili 70’), Jan Busuttil (Marcus Grima 79’), Nikola Zerjal, Nikola Braunovic, Olivier Rommens, Aleksa Andrejic, George Blackwood (Oluwatobiloba Dimeji Awosanya 63’).

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

BOV player of the match: Victor Luiz Prestes Filho (Valletta)