NAXXAR LIONS 0

BALZAN 2

Mensha 57 pen, Zarate 63

Godwin Mensha and Edison Bilbao struck after the break to help Balzan register their first win of the season in a hard-fought match.

Naxxar Lions gave their opponents a real run for their money but Balzan’s greater quality made the difference after the break and it was an uphill battle for Stefano Grima’s men once Mensha had broken the deadlock from the spot.

Lions newcomer Sidione Oussou also impressed as he was a menace with his surging runs at the Balzan defence. Fastening onto a long pass from the defence after just three minutes, Oussou surged into the box but his shot was kept out by Christian Cassar, the Balzan goalkeeper. Cassar repelled Richard Cardozo’s volley soon after.

After this, Balzan held Naxxar at arm’s length but they rarely looked in command. Dylan Grima, Terence Agius and Edison Bilbao, their midfield trio, lacked flair and inventiveness when pushing forward and that it impossible for Alfred Effiong to leave his mark on the match. Past the half hour mark, Godwin Mensha’s mazy run brought him into the box but his angled effort whistled past the far post.

Naxxar’s hopes of taking their first Premier League points took a serious blow after 57 minutes. Ishmael Grech’s foul on Effiong lead to a penalty, which allowed Mensha to equalise from the spot.

The second goal came six minutes later, when Effiong surged on the left flank before delivering a ball for Zarate, who was waiting at centre, took a touch before rifling his soot into the near corner via a deflection off Grech.