Balzan were determined to bounce back from the defeat to Hamrun Spartans as they registered their first win, defeating Gzira United 1-0 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
Gzira, on the other hand, were looking for a response after being defeated 4-0 by Hibernians but remained empty-handed after two games.
Balzan scored the all-important goal ten minutes in the second half when in a quick counter-attack Aleksa Andrejic sent Leonardo da Silva de Souza through and the latter advanced into the area before beating goalkeeper David Cassar.
In the 2nd minute of the game, Lucas Riberio De Oliveira advanced and served Sane Adama but his attempt for an acute angle was saved by Balzan goalkeeper Danilo Golovic.
Balzan responded in the 12th minute when Peter Ukeme Olawale saw his first attempt to goal saved by Gzira’s goalkeeper David Cassar.
In the 22nd minute, Sane Adama had another chance when he met a cross by Marcelo Dias but with only the goalkeeper to beat he hit shot wide.
In the 29th minute, following a corner-kick taken by Bilario Aziz, Farid Romero concluded wide in front of the goalkeeper.
In the 39th minute, the last action of the first half, Gzira U were awarded a penalty as goalkeeper Danilo Golovic fouled Lucas Riberio De Oliveira in the area. Danilo Golovic kept the result even as he saved the penalty taken by the same player.
In the second half, Balzan made a couple of changes where Aleksa Andrejic and Leonardo da Silva de Souza replaced Peter Olawale and Nikola Braunovic.
Gzira came out on the attack and in the 52nd minute, Lucas Ribeiro De Oliveira advanced and served Brooklyn Borg who had a chance to conclude but, being chased by the defenders, decided to set Thaylor Aldama but his attempt was deflected to a corner by Golovic.
Two minutes later, Balzan took the lead when Jake Grech passed to Aleksa Andrejic who set LEONARDO DA SILVA DE SOUZA who advanced into the box and managed to beat goalkeeper David Cassar.
In the 90th minute of the game, Gzira had a very good chance to salvage a point from this game when substitute Jose Costa Silva Ewertton set another substitute Wilkson Teixera but his attempt hit the post with the ball falling in Danilo Golovic’s hand.
Balzan: Danilo Golovic, Ivan Bozovic (Nikola Zerjal 79’), Andre Prates, Samir Arab, Paul Fenech (Marcus Grima 65’), Jake Grech, Ryhoei Michibuchi, Aleksandar Katanic (Triston Caruana 73’), Nikola Braunovic (Leonardo da Silva de Souza 46’), Momcilo Raso, Peter Ukeme Olawale (Aleksa Andrejic 46’).
Gzira U : David Cassar, Carlos Conceica Filho (Jose Wilkson Teixeira 65’), Gabriel Bohrer, Andrew Borg, Bilario Azizi, Thaylor Aldama, Marcelo Dias, Lucas Ribeiro De Oliveira, Adama Sane (Thiago Espinola 66’), Zuniga Farid Romero (86 Georges Ryan Aristide Essaka), Brooklyn Borg (Jose Costa Silva Ewertton 75”).
Referee : Andrea Sciriha.
Player of the game : Danilo Golovic (Balzan)