The Malta Independent on Sunday
Consistent Balzan stay firmly in command
Football - BOV Premier League
good in the first half, even contriving to miss an early penalty, and were unlucky to end the half in arrears through another penalty. But once Balzan improved and doubled their lead early upon the start, the Saints never regained their threat and spark.
Despite there were some positives to cling at the end, with this third defeat in the last four matches, the threat of relegation is severe for St Andrews. And it does not get any easier with games against Hamrun Spartans, Floriana and Gzira United coming up next.
Their coach Michael Woods was forced to make changes, following his side’s victory against Hibernians before the year end.
Defender Emy Beltre’ has since joined Valletta, while both Degran Jackson and Tano Azian were suspended.
Their replacements yesterday were Liam Grech, Kevaughn Atkinson and Jacob Walker.
For most of the first half, St Andrews presented Balzan with two solid lines of defence, usually compact in their own half, with the lively Reid offering a notional outlet up front.
Reid handed his side the opportunity to open the scoring after 11 minutes, winning a penalty when felled by De Oliveira inside the Balzan area.
Captain Farrugia, though, had his feeble try from the spot well saved by Balzan keeper Sean Mintoff, deputising for the regular Janjusevic.
The Saints kept trying and had shots from Reid and Walker saved by the goalkeeper.
For most of the opening half, there was always a question of whether Balzan’s midfield, lacking Carlos Mendes, would be creative or forceful enough to break through the barriers, with Ryan Fenech lumbering around in search of a pass or a useful opening.
With Alfred Efiong, starting on the bench, their forward options of Bojan Kaljevic and Alex Alves, were reduced or lacking sharpness.
Deep into added time, Grant fouled Alves inside the area and keeper Calleja Cremona was powerless to prevent Bojan Kaljevic converting his 12th goal of the season from the resultant penalty.
St Andrews did not deserve to fall behind at halftime.
Balzan in fact had only created one chance of note before their goal, when, on 36 minutes, Ljubomirac’s cross from the right fell to Alves, whose goalbound effort was blocked on the line by Grech.
But Balzan doubled their lead within a couple of minutes of the restart, thanks to substitute Alfred Effiong, who had gone in for Ryan Fenech at halftime. Kaljevic headed Alves’ cross from the right against the innerside of the upright but Effiong was quick to finish off on the rebound.
Suddenly St Andrews were back pedalling and injury to Atkinson complicated matters further. Keeper Calleja Cremona was called to hold out Alves’ shot. On the other end, a Farrugia meaty free kick brought a smart save from Balzan keeper Mintoff.
The match had an attractive flow as Kaljevic reached for Ljubomirac’s cross before the Saints’ keeper, but failed to put his effort on target.
Another Bojan Kaljevic goal, on 77 minutes, heading in Alves’s cross from the right, embellished the margin of victory to leave Balzan unbeaten in their last 13 league matches, since they last lost to same opponents way back in August.
There was some consolation for St Andrews deep into three minutes of added time as Misael Miranda Gomez scored with a stunning shot at the top corner that left keeper Mintoff rooted to his line.