Balzan record fifth win to stay on top

League leaders Balzan made sure to stay on top as they brushed aside Gzira United 3-1. Overall it was a positive performance for Oliver Spiteri’s team as they dictated play for most of the game with their attacking force proving once again its worth as Bojan Kaljevic, Lydon Micallef, Alfred Effiong and Abdelkarim Nafti all proved their value with a number of chances.

Gzira had to adapt themselves to their superior opponents and stayed well composed for the first half an hour. But after conceding the first goal, they failed to close up the spaces.

It was only after reducing the margin that they were a bit dangerous.

Oliver Spiteri made one change from the team that defeated Hibernians as Dylan Grima was preferred instead of Terence Agius. Gzira also made one change as Diamoutene was back in defence replacing the suspended Antonio de Queiroz Machedo Neto.

Gzira created the first occasion of the game after two minutes as Juan Carlos Corbolan tested Janjusevic with a turning shot that the Balzan goalkeeper saved. Grioli was the first player to test Jurgen Borg on the 11th minute with a free-kick that Borg saved partially until the defence cleared the danger.

Oliver Spiteri’s side opened the score on the 34th minute when Kaljevic received a cross from the left side, laid a soft header to Paul Fenech who headed past Jurgen Borg.

Gzira made no reaction and Balzan doubled four minutes before the break as they operated with a counter attack about 60 metres away from the Gzira post. Kaljevic advanced and passed to Lydon Micallef who retured the favour and passed again to the striker who had no problem beating Jurgen Borg who could only touch the ball.

Balzan continued to search for more goals and on the 47th minute a shot from a difficult position by Lydon Micallef, but Jurgen Borg closed the first post and saved well. Kaljevic had another chance on the 54th minute after receiving from Effiong but his effort finished over the bar.

Another action for Balzan three minutes later with a perfect through ball from Grioli to Lydon Micallef who advanced and looked to score, but Borg denied the effort with a spectacular save in his last job of the game as he was substituted in a subsequent action.

Gzira threatened the post for the first time in the second half on the 66th minute as Yanis Tonna crossed a low ball to Karl Pulo who failed to conclude on goal.

But Gzira were back in the game with a goal on the 77th minute as substitute Liliu crossed from the left to the other substitute Jocean Da Silva Santos who beat Janjusevic with a header on his right corner.

Branko Nisevic’s team piled the pressure a bit and Conti went close with a shot that finished over the bar. Three minutes later, Piciollo went near with a powerful shot that Gerada turned into a corner.

But this was only a prediction to the third goal as Piciollo took advantage of a counter attack and a stretched Gzira defence, advanced and beat Gerada.