Balzan needed a Bojan Kaljevic late goal to overcome Pembroke Athleta 2-1 at the Tedesco Stadium.

The Montenegrin striker put Oliver Spiteri’s men ahead as early as the sixth minute when he connected to Justin Grioli’s free-kick and direct a header past Pembroke goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona, who was making his debut.

Pembroke drew level against the run of play on 28 minutes. Mateus hit a spectacular overhead kick from the edge of the area that came off Elkin Serrano Valero with the ball nestling into the net.

Balzan soon the initiative but for all their possession they had to wait until four minutes from time to score the winner.

Kaljevic was again Balzan’s hero when he met Paul Fenech’s cross and head the ball past Calleja Cremona.

Balzan midfielder Paul Fenech was voted as the BOV Player of the match.