Balzan go top after fine win over Senglea

Balzan Youths 2
Senglea Athletic 0

Balzan Youths moved to the top of the First Division table after beating Senglea Athletic thanks to a second half five-star performance.

Following an even first 45 minutes Balzan dominated proceedings after the break where they relentlessly attacked the Senglea rearguard which just could not cope.

Balzan's fine movement and running off the ball especially in the second half was a trademark of a team which on this form could be one of the main candidates for promotion.

Nebiosa Jankovic, Mark Galea and Kevin Farrugia were irresistible up front and when Ives Bilocca came on as a substitute, Balzan's play improved. In fact they could have won by an even bigger margin if they had not missed a couple of sitters including a penalty.

After only five minutes a Mark Galea half volley was well saved by Elvin Attard in the Senglea goal. Four minutes later, Balzan threatened again, when Neville Arpa's drive from just outside the box was again saved by Attard.

As time went by Senglea started to venture forward and in the 21st minute Darren Grech found Kevin Mifsud in the box whose shot was saved by Simon Grech.

In the 38th minute a Lawrence Attard cross was well headed by Draganov but Grech was equal to it, saving for a corner.

On the stroke of half-time, Balzan were awarded a free-kick and Kevin Farrugia's shot was brilliantly saved by Attard.

The second half belonged to Balzan. Jankovic had a shot saved by Attard on 50 minutes but five minutes later Fatos Daja's side forged ahead.

Jeffrey Farrugia retrieved a ball in midfield and his effort from 35 metres beat Attard.

Ten minutes later Balzan doubled their lead. Bilocca, who had just come in for David Agius, caught the Senglea defence napping and after dribbling past two defenders he slotted the ball past Attard.

Now it was all Balzan. Galea's grounder was deflected to a corner by Scerri and four minutes later an Arpa-Jankovic move finished with the latter bringing the best out of the Senglea custodian.

Four minutes from time Darren Grech of Senglea was shown the red card for dissent.

In injury time, Balzan could have made it 3-0 when they were awarded a penalty after Kurt Coleiro was floored by goalkeeper Attard. Bilocca stepped up to take the kick but his effort hit the post. However, Balzan were long home and dry.

Balzan: S. Grech, S. Sadowski, D. Agius (I. Bilocca), A. Deidun, C. Brimmer, J. Farrugia, K. Farrugia, P. Buhagiar, M. Galea (K. Coleiro), N. Arpa, N. Jankovic (A. Caruana).

Senglea: E. Attard, T. Ghirxi, F. Dingli, J. Scerri (A. Gera), S. Aquilina, L. Attard (I), D. Grech, A. Imbroll (K. Catania), D. Draganov, K. Mifsud (S. Said), L. Attard (II).

Referee: Marco Borg.