Saturday 22nd April 2017: Balzan found no difficulty against Tarxien Rainbows as they registered a solid 3 – 0 win. By beating Tarxien Rainbows yesterday, with back-to-back wins, Balzan closed the gap on Hibernians to two points as they lost to Birkirkara.

Kampjonat Premier: Tarxien Rainbows FC​ 1-3 Balzan F.C.​

Kampjonat Premier: Tarxien Rainbows FC 0-3 Balzan F.C.

Posted by L-ARGUMENT on Sunday, April 23, 2017

Both sides made considerable changes in their formation from their last outings. Balzan replaced injured Steve Bezzina, Milos Lepovic and the suspended Bruno Giglio de Oliveira and Ryan Fenech with Anderson de Barros, Samir Arab, Sean Cipriott and Alfred Effiong while Paul Fenech, Justin Grioli, Dylan Grima were still out injured. On the other hand Tarxien replaced Emerson Marcelina, Daniel Ponce de Leon Garcia, Alex da Paixao Alves and the suspended Alex Nilsson and Julian Galea with Daniel Zerafa, Matthew Sladden, Ayrton Azzopardi, Kurt Zammit and Dylan Micallef.

Tarxien created the first opportunity on goal on the 7th minute when Dylan Micallef fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area that went over the crossbar.

There minutes later Balzan had their first opportunity when Lydon Micallef served Alan Da Silva Souza inside the penalty area and the latter’s shot was well saved to a corner by goalkeeper Philip Schranz.

In the 16th minute, Tarxien had another attempt on goal. This time goalkeeper Christian Cassar saved without difficulty an attempt from a distance by Matthew Sladden.

Two minutes later, Bojan Kaljevic went inside the penalty area and hit a strong shot that forced a great save from the goalkeeper.

On the 27th minute Balzan took the lead. Bojan Kaljevic served LYDON MICALLEF inside the box and after dribbling past a defender drilled the ball home, past goalkeeper Philip Schranz.

Three minutes later Balzan doubled the score. ALAN DA SILVA SOUZA received a good pass in the box from Terence Agius and managed to beat the Tarxien custodian with a low shot from close range.

Five minutes from the break, Balzan made it 3 – 0. In a solo effort ALFRED EFFIONG concluded a good run from the left, dribbled past a couple of defenders and managed to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle.

In the second half, Balzan decided to take it easy waiting for Tarxien, as they increased their efforts by introducing Emerson Marcelina and Alex Alves in their attack. However Tarxien never really tested goalkeeper Christian Cassar.

Three minutes into the second half, Emerson Marcellina of Tarxien tried his luck from a free kick, but his shot ended up off target.
Tarxien had another attempt on goal in the 55th minute when Ebiabowei Baker fired a volley from distance that finished wide.
On the 69th minute, Ayrton Azzopardi hit a low shot from inside the penalty area that was easily saved by Christian Cassar.
In the 77th minute Balzan almost increased the score when Bojan Kaljevic forced a difficult save from Philip Schranz when, after being served by Alfred Effiong he threethed with a curling shot.
In the additional time, Abdelkarim Nafti fired a shot from a free kick that was neutralised by Schranz.