Saturday 05th April 2017: Balzan returned to winning ways following their defeats to Hibernians and Valletta, as they registered a comprehensive 3-1 win over Gzira United.

 

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Balzan had three changes from their last outing as Ivan Janjusevic, Alan da Silva Souza and Bojan Kaljevic were replaced by Christian Cassar, Lydon Micallef and Abdelkarim Nafti while Gzira U had Anthony Curmi, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Zachary Scerri returning back for Gzira, replacing Jurgen Borg, Souleymane Diamoutene and Andrew Cohen.

In the first half there were only a couple of chances as most of the play was carried out in midfield and both teams managed to control each other.

In the 8th minute Alfred Effiong saw his effort finishing just over the bar.

On the 17th minute Matteo Piciollo shot wide from an acute angle.

On resumption Balzan were forced to replace injured Paul Fenech with Terence Agius in the midfield.

Balzan gained foothold in the second half and scored three times in almost 10 minutes.

Balzan managed to break the deadlock on the 49th minute. Following a cross from the left side by Alfred Effiong, which goalkeeper Alfred Curmi failed to hold, ABDELKARIM NAFTI hit home off the rebound.

In the 52nd minute, Balzan doubled the score when LYDON MICALLEF was brought down in the area and the referee awarded a penalty. The same player did not fail to transform

Balzan sealed the issue by scoring the third goal on the 58th minute when from a free-kick taken from the left by Ryan Fenech, BOJAN KALJEVIC headed the ball home from close range.

Gzira reacted and on the 77th minute went close when an effort from a free-kick by Zachary Scerri missed the target by inches.

Two minutes later, Samir Arab floored Carlos Alejandro Reyna inside the area. However, the same player saw his shot from the penalty spot finishing high over the crossbar.

On the 88th minute, Balzan were reduced to ten men after Samir Arab was shown a straight red for hitting Dyson Falzon off the ball.
Gzira scored a consolation goal in the dying minutes of the game Following a corner-kick, ZACHARY SCERRI received the ball inside the area and controlled it before hitting low past goalkeeper Christian Cassar.