Qormi 0
Balzan 1
Vujacic 90;

On paper, high-flying Balzan shouldn’t have encountered much trouble to overcome Qormi.

Yet, the Premier League leaders had to wait the entire 90 minutes to break down Qormi’s resistance thanks to Aleksandar Vujacic’s clinical finishing inside the box.

Oliver Spiteri’s early-season policy to rotate his personnel almost came back to haunt him yesterday as he discarded the old adage of ‘never change a winning side’ and made three changes from the 3-1 victory over Mosta. Christian Cassar, Samir Arab and Vujacic came in for Valerio Senatore, Maxim Focsa and Lydon Micallef.

After a dismal opening half, Balzan showed significant improvement with the introduction of Micallef and ultimately scored the winner at the death.

A first glance at Balzan’s starting XI showed the presence of three ex-Qormi players – Edison Bilbao Zarate, Alfred Effiong and Luke Sciberras.

Effiong was again tasked with providing flair in Balzan’s forward line and he did what was expected of him on seven minutes as he made a run down the right but his shot was blocked by Andreas Vella, the Qormi goalkeeper.

Prudence was the order of the day for Qormi as they seemed content to soak up the pressure.

After 20 minutes, Godwin Mensha unleashed a stinging shot from outside the Qormi box which keeper Vella managed to repel with a fine reflex save.

The physical challenge posed by Qormi forward Alexander Nilsson to flit into dangerous positions and outmuscle opponents kept the Balzan rearguard on their toes.

Mensha applied his pace and skills to run at his opponents. The Nigerian striker’s progression un-nerved Qormi but his shot finished wide off the far post.

Six minutes from half-time, Jesmond Zerafa was forced into his first substitution when Kurt Magro was unable to continue. He was replaced by Sorin Oproiescu.

The former Rabat player almost left an instant impact as he ran through the Balzan defence but with the keeper to beat he dallied his shot and was crowded out.

Spiteri must have had a go at his players during half-time as Balzan lacked their usual flair and also looked devoid of fighting spirit in that opening half.

Not so can be said of the tenacious Qormi who issued another reminder of their threat just after the break but Carlo Monti’s shot was saved by Cassar.

Balzan were now showing signs of revival as Vujacic stepped up his game considerably.

At this point, Balzan introduced Ryan Darmanin in attack instead of Effiong and they started to push more bodies beyond the half way line.

A goalmouth scramble ensued soon after but Noah Ojula threw himself across to close down Micallef, who came on for Arab.

With the game heading to a goalless draw, Balzan struck the winner.

Man of the match Mensha was the provider with an inviting cross from the right that found Vujacic on the right spot to head home.

Qormi
A. Vella-7, A. Cassar-6.5, O. Sidibe-7, N. Ojoula-7, B. Berntsson-7, S. Agius-6.5, C. Gauci-6.5, K. Magro-6 (39 S. Oproiescu-5), C. Monti-6 (83 E. Vella), R. Micallef-5 (73 T. Vella), A. Nilsson-6.5.

Balzan
C. Cassar-6, D. Grima-5.5 (81 T. Agius), E. Zarate-5, L. Sciberras-5.5, G. Mensha-7.5, A. Effiong-5 (64 R. Darmanin-5), E. Serrano-6, C. Brincat-5.5, A. Vujacic-7, J. Grioli-7, S. Arab-5 (59 L. Micallef-7).

Yellow cards: Serrano, Grioli, Zarate, Berntsson, Vella.

Referee: Marco Borg.

BOV player of the match: Godwin Mensha (Balzan).

Attendance: 506.

Standings

  P W D L F A Pts
Balzan 7 5 2 0 13 3 17
Valletta 7 5 0 2 12 5 15
Hibernians 6 4 2 0 10 4 14
Floriana 7 4 1 2 13 7 13
Birkirkara 6 3 2 1 14 7 11
Mosta 6 3 1 2 9 7 10
Pembroke 7 3 1 3 14 16 10
Sliema 7 3 1 3 4 7 10
Tarxien 7 2 3 2 11 7 9
Qormi 7 1 1 5 5 9 4
St Andrew’s 6 0 0 6 5 17 0
Naxxar 7 0 0 7 3 24 0

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