MELITA-0, BALZAN-4

Balzan's Brazilian players stole the limelight as Pedrinho, Renato Conceicao and Elton scored the goals in a straightforward 4-0 win over Melita.

Coming from three positive results, Melita had high hopes of extending their fine run but they were outplayed by Balzan who, thanks to this win, have kept their Championship Pool hopes alive.

Balzan opened the scoring after 14 minutes. Elton's cross from the left soared above the Melita defence with the ball falling into the path of Renato Conceicao who swept past a defender before hitting past Guillermo Gabilondo Garcia.

With Melita failing to make a reaction, it was Balzan who came close to doubling their lead. Gabilondo failed to hold the ball as he was unsettled by the leaping Elton. The loose ball fell to Brazilian whose overhead chip ended wide of the near post.Balzan increased their advantage on 33 minutes.

Pedrinho made a surging run into the box before firing past the Melita goalkeeper.Two goals down, Melita had to step up their game to have any hope of making a comeback.

They went close to narrowing the deficit 11 minutes from time when Daniel Cabanillas chested the ball towards Luke Micallef whose diagonal effort sailed just wide of the far post.

Melita's evening took a turn for the worse when, 17 minutes from time, substitute Luke Sammut was shown a straight red card for a scathing tackle on Christian Caruana.

Two minutes later, Balzan sealed their win when Pedrinho fired home after Conceicao's shot had hit the crossbar.

Five minutes from time, Balzan scored their fourth thanks to Elton who drifted into the box before hitting a low shot past Gabilondo.On the stroke of time, Daniel Miguelez Martinez repelled Cabanillas's effort and, at the other end, Balzan substitute Malcolm Licari fired wide from close range.

Pedrinho was voted BOV player of the match.