Balzan beat Luxol 3-1 last week to win the Super Cup for the third year in a row and start the new season on the right footing.
Balzan deserved their win as they were the more dangerous side going forward even though Luxol gave their all to stay in contention.
The champions paraded new players Carl Azzopardi, Mark Zammit, Marco Conti, Matthew Attard and Frane Despotovic who all made their debut.
Luxol retained the core of the team that finished third last season. They had Peter Pullicino, Celino Alves, Reuben Grech and Omar Toutoungi making their first appearance.
Balzan took a 2-0 half-time lead with goals from Nicola del Re and Boycho Marev.
Luxol produced an immediate reaction but found keeper Matthew Xerxen in their way as he effected fine saves to deny William Barbosa, Dale Camilleri and Florin Anton.
Then, Alves met Pullicino’s corner and hammered past Xerxen to make it 2-1.
The Brazilian, however, was then showed a red card for two successive bookings.
Marev shattered Luxol’s hopes as he took advantage of a defensive blunder to deliver a stunning shot that finished inside the net.
After the match, FMA president Mark Borg presented the Super Cup to Balzan captain Carlo Scicluna.
In Division One, Mellieħa kept flying high after defeating Sirens 4-2.
This was not a stroll though for the championship leaders who had to contend with a well-organised Sirens side.
Sirens opened a two-goal advantage through James Tabone but Mellieħa levelled matters before the break.
In the second half, Mellieħa gained the upper hand and hit the target twice to retain the sole leadership in the table having played a game more.
Darren Aitchinson, Radoslav Kovachev (2) and Craig Pickard were on target for early pacesetters Mellieħa.
Aleksandar Ribic and new signing Adrian Maril struck three times for second-placed Lija Athletic as they extended their winning start with a 9-4 victory over Qrendi.
Luqa St Andrew’s chalked up their third victory of the season after seeing off Siġġiewi 7-1 and in another match Attard and Naxxar Lions shared the spoils in an entertaining 4-4 draw.
Div. One Standings
Mellieħa 12; Lija Athletic, Luqa St Andrew’s 9; Naxxar Lions 7; Attard 5; Mqabba, Sirens 4; Msida St Joseph, Siġġiewi 3; Mdina Knights, Qrendi, Birżebbuġa 1.