Balzan regain some momentum in race for title

Football - BOV Premier League

ternoon’s previous match, Balzan knew they could not af- ford any more slips. This was always going to be a test of character for Micovic’s men, yesterday without the suspended Milos Lepovic and Bojan Kaljevic only involved in the last half hour.

Although dominating possession, they failed to create clearcut chances. It was a disjointed game for long stretches, frustration growing at some points in the stands after some missed chances and good saves by the Senglea keeper Jurgen Borg.

They lacked both the aggression and imagination to assert themselves against opponents already safe in practical terms.

Their opening goal typified their first half performance - simple enough but made effective through determination.

Their second, 15 minutes from time, after Senglea had briefly levelled matters through Gonzalo Virano, came through substitute Bojan Kaljevic who plundered his reward and gives renewed life to his side’s title charge.

Balzan’s first real threat, after some initial huffing and puffing, came towards the quarter hour when Bezzina’s looping header from a corner, hit the Senglea post.

On 20 minutes, Effiong failed to connect to Bezzina’s inviting cross when standing clear in front of the Senglea goal.

Balzan then threatened with a couple of Mendes’ free kicks. The first was deflected into a corner off the Senglea wall. The second was ably held out by keeper Borg, making his debut in the Senglea goal.

Senglea looked like they had the spirit and confidence to resist the Balzan onslaught and had managed to test Balzan keeper Janjusevic with a Sammut effort shortly before the break.

But they were undone in the half’s added time, when failing to deal with a set-piece. Bozovic played a deep free kick from the right and Siraj Arab headed Balzan in front.

Such a level of performance was unlikely to be met with satisfaction by Micovic and Balzan needed to up their efforts in the second half. They came out with some more urgency.

An Arab shot was turned into a corner by Senglea keeper Borg. On 55 minutes Alves’ drive ended fractionally wide.

But as Balzan were looking for a second reassuring goal, Senglea curbed their enthusiasm with an equaliser past the hour. Gonzalo Virano caught keeper Janjusevic by surprise, with a dipping shot from the edge of the area.

The immediate introduction of Bojan Kaljevic from the bench, re-energised Balzan and paid dividends.

Balzan quickly gained the upperhand and on 75 minutes they were back in front and Kaljevic was the scorer, knocking in the ball past keeper Borg, after Johnson had headed a long Ryan Fenech cross in his direction.

Balzan were applying pressure. And they kept doing so with keeper Borg holding out another effort by Kaljevic.

But Senglea wer unable to cause any more problems as Balzan remained the better team

■ Although far from convincing, this was an important win for Balzan that takes them back on top, on equal points with Valletta and keeps them primed for a late tilt towards their first Premier League title. They play outgoing champions Hibernians on...