PIETÀ HOTSPURS-0, BALZAN-3
Balzan climbed above Floriana into fourth place in the Premier League after beating relegation strugglers Pietà Hotspurs 3-0 this evening.
The match was a scrappy affair but Balzan clearly had more attacking acumen than their opponents with Gianmarco Piccioni and Bojan Kaljevic making their mark with a goal apiece.
Pietà Hotspurs created the better chances early on.
Nine minutes into the game, Ricardo Costa advanced unchallenged after Balzan failed to clear a Claudio Frances pass. The Brazilian striker ran past the on-rushing Christian Cassar but his cross was too high for Luke Micallef.
On 12 minutes, Jurgen Pisani slipped an intelligent pass to Frances who darted into the box but the Argentine blasted high.
Balzan threatened when Bojan Kaljevic forced his way into the box but his low pass towards Gianmarco Piccioni was stopped by Pisani.
The Reds improved as the minutes passed.
Dylan Grima did well to create space for a shot but his effort was blocked by Christian Grech with the ball subsequently coming off Fortunato's outstretched hands on the edge of the box. Referee Philip Farrugia awarded Balzan a free-kick and Piccioni hit a stinging shot that had the better of David Cassar in Pietà's goal.
The Hotspurs looked stunned but they upped their game in the final stages of the first half.
Ten minutes from half-time, Frances produced a dangerous drive that was turned away by Cassar, the Balzan keeper.
Balzan had a good chance to increase their lead late in the first half but Grima's effort rolled past the post.
Two minutes into the second half, Rafael Rodrigues released Gabriel but the latter's diagonal effort was warded off by Cassar.
At the other end,. Kaljevic cut in from the left but his shot was wide.
Two minutes into the second half, Rafael Rodrigues passed to Gabriel but the latter's diagonal effort was repelled by Cassar.
At the other end,. Kaljevic cut in from the left but his shot was wide.
The game was bereft of quality as the two teams struggled to find their passing range.
Pietà's Luke Micallef was high from the edge of the box.
Midway into the second half, Balzan had a great opportunity to seal the issue when Grima burst forward through the middle before picking out Piccioni but the Italian's scrambled effort was blocked by Cassar.
Balzan made the points safe 14 minutes thanks to substitute Lydon Micallef who hit past Cassar after receiving from Kaljevic.
The Hotspurs might have reduced the deficit when Pisani's pass rolled into the path of the Charles Newuche inside the box but the Nigerian's weak shot was blocked by Cassar.
A minute from time, Balzan made it 3-0. Kaljevic punished Pietà on the counter as he raced clear before rifling past Cassar.
Piccioni was named BOV player of the match.