For this game, Balzan just replaced injured Samir Arab with Augustine Loof who was suspended for their last game against Gzira United. On the other hand, Gudja United named an unchanged side from their last game against Hamrun Spartans.

Balzan’s new coach Paul Zammit, making his debut for Balzan, expected a better win considering that Gudja United was reduced to ten men after just ten minutes.

Although Balzan had control of the game for most of the time, Gudja still managed to give a good account of themselves, giving Balzan a hard time, but could not avoid a third consecutive defeat which leaves them in the lower part of the table.

After just ten minutes, following a long pass by goalkeeper Jake Galea, Gudja captain Hubert Vella handled the ball as Alex Da Paixao Alves was heading all alone towards the area, with the referee having no option but to show him a red card and send him off.

Balzan wasted no time to take the lead as in the 18th minute, Bojan Kaljevic advanced upfield and served Alex Da Paixao Alves who in turn passed back to MILOS MIJIC who, from the edge of the area, did not hesitate to finish the ball low past goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.

In the 34th minute, Gudja replied with an Aidan Friggieri freekick from the left which ended over the bar, and a minute later, the same player went close with another attempt from outside the area.

During the first half Balzan continued dominating with ball possession but failed to create dangerous actions.

After the break and early into the second half Balzan tried to push harder for a second goal, Marcus Grima served Milos Mijic whose low shot was blocked by goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.

Soon after, Milos Mijic delivered a freekick from the left, Uros Ljubomirac headed the ball down for Bojan Kaljevic whose shot was neutralised by Glenn Zammit.

In the 50th minute, Gabriel Mensah tried his luck with a shot from outside the area but the ball finished high over the crossbar.

In the 63rd minute, Milos Zlatkovic sent an insidious cross from the left but substitute Aleksa Andrejic missed a good opportunity.

In the 71st minute, Aleksa Andrejic had another good chance when he received an assist by Uros Ljubomirac but Glenn Zammit intervened and turned the ball into a corner.

Finally, one minute from time, Glenn Vella blocked a close-range effort by substitute Suleiman Jalu, after being served by Uros Ljubomirac from the right.

Gudja made their last effort and in the added time Llywelyn Cremona saw his shot from outside the are finishing just wide.

BALZAN: Jake Galea, Augustine Loof, Marcus Grima, Paul Fenech (Milan Djuric 52’), Alex Da Paixao Alves (Suleiman Jalu 84’), Michael Johnson, Uros Ljubomirac, Milos Zlatkovic (Gary Camilleri 84’), Milo Mijic, Bojan Kaljevic (Aleksa Andrejic 59’), Sean Cipriott-6 (Neil Frendo 84’).

GUDJA UNITED : Glenn Zammit, Louis Beland (Leighton Grech 86’), Aidan Jake Friggieri (Junior Dibola 72’), Rodolfo Soares, Llyeiyn Cremona, Gabriel Mensah (Filip Pankarican 86’), Hubert Vella, Romero Farid Zuniga, Justin Grioli (Kyle Gatt 82’), Temitope Abdul, Marcelo Dias.

Referee: Andrea Sciriha.

BOV Player of the Match: Milos Mijic (Balzan).