Balzan dominated for most of the time, especially in the second half when Naxxar missed the services of the injured Yuri De Jesus Messias. Naxxar defended in an organised manner which upset the Balzan strikers. They also had their good moments, probably also creating the best scoring chances.

 

Balzan created the first opportunity to goal on the 11th minute when a shot by Paul Fenech finished over the crossbar.

In the 14th minute, Bojan Kaljevic set Alfred Effiong whose shot finished off target from close range.

Seconds later, a direct free-kick by Milos Lepovic finished just over.

Naxxar reacted and on the 16th minute a cross by Yuri De Jesus Messias cross was palmed away with difficulty to safety by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

On the 27th minute Naxxar were unlucky as, following a cross by Duane Bonnici, Yuri De Jesus Messias saw his shot hitting the post and from the rebound, Jurgen Debono finished wide. In this action Messias was injured and was even taken to hospital. He was then replaced by Joel Ellul.

In the 32nd minute, a Jacob Borg’s dangerous cross was palmed out by goalkeeper Christoph Nicht just before Alfred Effiong could connect.

In the 40th minute, Milos Lepovic served Bojan Kaljevic who in turn fired a shot that forced a good save from goalkeeper Christoph Nicht.

In the second half, Balzan kept insisting and went close on the 66th minute. Following a cross by Ryan Fenech, Alfred Effiong incredibly missed an open goal with a header, with the ball finishing out.

On the 89th minute, Paul Fenech had a good opportunity when, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he hit a low shot that was saved by Nicht.

In the dying minutes of the game, Balzan had another opportunity when following a Ryan Fenech free-kick, Milos Lepovic saw his header going just over.

NAXXAR : Christoph Nicht, Scott Fenwick, Ryan Grech (Daren Falzon 19′), Manolito Micallef, Duane Bonnici, Jurgen Debono (Daniel Mateo Bustos 72′), Angus Buhagiar, Oussenyou Elhadji Ndoye, Adrian Cascaval, Arnaud Mendy, Yuri de Jesus Messias (Joel Ellul 31′).

BALZAN : Sean Mintoff, Jacob Borg, Alfred Effiong, Elkin Serrano Valero, Uros Ljubomirac, Milos Lepovic, Bojan Kaljevic, Paul Fenech, Alex da Paixao Alves, Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Justin Grioli (Ryan Fenech 62′).

Referee: Philip Farrugia

BOV Player of the Match: Milos Lepovic