Bojan Kaljevic was again the hero for Balzan as they registered a narrow win over Senglea Athletic holding the top place of the BOV Premier League.

For this game Balzan presented themselves without defender Bruno Gilio de Oliveira and midfielder Ryan Fenech. On the other hand Senglea had to do without suspended Antonio Terracciano and Hubert Vella.

As expected, Balzan took command as from the start; going close on various occasions but goalkeeper Giulio Cetrangolo performed a number of good saves over attempts by Bojan Kaljevic, Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes (Cadu’), Alex de Paixao Alves (Lekao) and Milos Lepovic. On the other hand Senglea opted to defend for long streches, with goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic having just one comfortable save to make through the whole match.

After only two minutes Balzan went close as Bojan Kaljevic hit a shot that finished over.

Senglea replied on the 14th minute. Ivan Paz sent a shot from a free-kick that sailed wide.

On the 15th minute, Bojan Kaljevic exchanged possession with Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes who forced a good save from Giulio Cetrangolo.

On the 22nd minute Giulio Cetrangolo was on the alert once when he saved well a shot by Lekao.

On the 42nd minute, goalkeeper Giulio Cetrangolo made a spectacular save, turning Cadus’ direct free kick into a corner.

Balzan took the lead at the stoke of the 45th minute. Balzan’s winning goal owed everything to a goalkeeping blunder by Gulio Cetrangolo. Following a cross shot by Cadu, BOJAN KALJEVIC anticipated the goalkeeper and headed home into an empty net.

After the interval Balzan increased the tempo and pressed their opponents inside their own half.

Five minutes into the second half, Bojan Kaljevic served Cadu but the latter finished high.

On the 53rd minute, Lekao advanced from the left, his low drive was partially saved by goalkeeper Cetrangolo, with the ball being deflected against the bar before Jonathan Bondin cleared the danger.

In the 67th minute, Balzan replaced Lekao with Alfred Effiong in search for a second to goal to assure themselves a win. By the end they still lacked enough fire power to score more goals in a match they really dominated.

In the remaining minutes, Senglea tried their best to restore equilibrium on the 78th minute when Terence Vella set Ryan Dalli through but Michael Johnson came to the rescue by clearing into a corner before the Dalli could conclude.

Senglea went close to equalise in the additional time when substitute Peter Sammut hit a powerful drive, from an ideal position, which finished off target.

SENGLEA : Giulio Cetrangolo, Jonathan Bondin, Randall Vella, Gonzalo Julian Leyton, Sergio Uyi, Matias Garcia, Ivan Edgardo Paz, Gonzalo Nicolas Virano, Ryan Dalli, Nicola Palmieri, Terence Vella (Peter Paul Sammut 82’).

BALZAN : Ivan Janjusevic, Steve Bezzina, Michael Johnson, Elkin Serrano Valero, Uros Ljubomirac, Milos Lepovic, Bojan Kaljevic (Justin Grioli 91’), Paul Fenech, Alex da Paixao Alves (Alfred Effiong 67’), Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes (Jamie Zerafa 87’), Samir Arab.

Referee: Ishmael Barbara

BOV Player of the Match: Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes