Balzan were back to winning ways when they eased past Naxxar Lions 4-2 and went top of the Premier League standings.

Balzan took the lead on 23 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick on the left channel and Terence Agius’s  delivery was met by Godwin Mensha who stabbed the ball past Julian Azzopardi.

Naxxar’s response failed to arrive and five minutes later Azzopardi had to be alert to push away Steve Bezzina’s long range shot.

Balzan doubled their lead on 37 minutes when Mensha chipped the ball towards the steaming Effiong who turned past Azzopardi before firing into an empty net.

The Lions started the second half brightly and on 50 minutes Cassar was forced into a fine save to push away Sarina’s shot.

However, any hopes they might have harboured of getting back into the match were all but extinguished on 67 minutes when in a swift break Mensha stormed into the area before picking Effiong at the far post and the Malta striker headed past Azzopardi.

Naxxar kept fighting and pulled a goal back on 70 minutes when from a free-kick action Toure was first to Daren Falzon’s cross and the Senegalese forward pushed the ball into the net.

But it was Balzan who restored their three-goal lead 11 minutes from time when the hard-working Mensha again made headway on the right and his dipping cross was pushed away by Azzopardi into the path of Micallef who had little problems to head into the net.

Naxxar scored a second consolation goal on 87 minutes when goalkeeper Cassar tried to clear Falzon’s cross but he inadvertently pushed the ball onto Bezzina with the ball finishing into the back of the net.  

Balzan striker Godwin Mensha was voted as the BOV Player of the match.