BALZAN-1, SLIEMA WANDERERS-0
Balzan maintained their resurgence after beating Sliema Wanderers 1-0 in a tense match at the Tedesco Stadium.
Christian Caruana's 10th minute opener gave Balzan their third consecutive win at the expense of a disappointing Sliema side who even failed to take advantage from Jamie Pace's sending-off midway into the second half.
After three minutes, Balzan goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone pushed away Ivan Woods's dipping cross from a corner.
In their first attack, Balzan took the lead on 10 minutes. Receiving a pass from Pedrinho, Caruana drove towards the box before beating Glenn Zammit with a fine shot.
Caruana's opener fill Balzan with confidence as Sliema struggled to get going.
Elton headed high and wide from Renie Forace's left-wing cross. On 16 minutes, Pedrinho managed to flick the ball to Forace despite the Brazilian being surrounded by several Sliema players. Forace's grounder was kept out by Zammit.
Five minutes from half-time, Woods advanced on the left and cut the ball back for Paltemio Barbetti whose rising shot flew over the crossbar.
In a Balzan counter-attack, Forace did well to win his tussle with Stefano Bianciardi but the Balzan captain mishit his shot. On the stroke of half-time, Tabone blocked Mintoff's shot and Zammit did likewise from Pace's effort.
Close to the hour mark, Balzan nearly doubled their lead when, from a Pedrinho corner, Pace headed the ball into the goalmouth and Caruana's close-range flick was saved in two attempts by Zammit.
Sliema's Paltemio Barbetti then went close with a diagonal shot that landed on the roof of then net while Zammit, the Sliema goalkeeper, stopped Pedrinho's free-kick.
Midway into the second half, Balzan suffered a setback after Pace was sent off for two cautions.
Sliema were now expected to take control but with Balzan defending deep, the Blues struggled to create chances. Alex Muscat was unlucky when his first-time screamer shook the crossbar with nine minutes left.
In stoppage time, Ariel Laudisi headed wide from a corner by substitute Diego Ortega.
Balzan forward Caruana was named BOV player of the match.