BALZAN-5, PEMBROKE ATHLETA-1
Balzan recovered from a goal down to thump Pembroke Athleta 5-1 and maintain their unbeaten start in the BOV Premier League.
The scoreline was harsh on Pembroke who created a number of opportunities to increase their lead early on but they were ultimately made to pay for their poor finishing as Balzan seized control.
An early shot by Lydon Micallef inside the opening seven minutes brought a routine save from Mario Muscat, the Pembroke goalkeeper.
It was Pembroke who took the lead after 12 minutes. Austin Martz's run down the left wing was blocked but debutant James Togbah was first to the loose ball before hitting a stunning half-volley that sailed past Christian Cassar and into the net.
It took Balzan a while to find their rhythm after going behind.
Close to the 20th minute mark, the returning Dylan Grima released Alfred Effiong inside the box but his low effort was kept out by Mario Muscat.
Togbah should have increased Pembroke's lead when the young US winger capitalised on a misplaced backpass and advanced unchallenged towards goal but he hesitated in front of goal and Cassar duly dispossessed him.
Three minutes past the half-hour, Balzan's Effiong headed over from Justin Grioli's corner.
Pembroke were dangerous every time they went forward.
Togbah squandered another inviting chance, hitting the ball straight at Cassar after being served by Louis Cutajar.
Balzan's defensive difficulties were further exposed four minutes from half-time when Peter Paul Sammut made headway through the middle and passed to Martz whose run down the right took him into the box but his low strike was wide.
Reprieved, Balzan equalised in their next attack. Edison Zarate's through-ball from the left released Effiong who dashed into the box and rifled past Muscat.
Spiteri's team nearly took the lead but Grima volleyed wide after being teed up by Effiong.
Balzan did forge ahead in first-half stoppage time, Micallef tapping home from close in after getting on the end of Agius's low cross.
Balzan went 3-1 up five minutes into the second half when Grioli's free-kick had the better of Muscat.
Things got worse for Pembroke when Balzan went 4-1 up thanks to Godwin Mensha who was lucky as his shot was initially blocked by Muscat but thew ball glanced off the Nigerian and rolled into the net.
Two minutes past the hour, Pembroke threatened to narrow the deficit but Togbah's close-range header, from Cutajar's cross, was blocked by Cassar. Laudisi then fired over.
With 21 minutes remaining, Balzan missed a great chance to extend their marhin as Mensha and Micallef found themselves clear through but, incredibly, the Nigerian slightly overhit his pass to his team-mate.
The game was as good over but, to their credit, Pembroke battled on. They had another good opportunity to pull one back but Kyle O'Brien fired over from routine distance after receiving from Martz.
Balzan made it 5-1 when, with 12 minutes left, substitute Ryan Darmanin guided the ball past Muscat after latching on to Mensha's pass.
At the end of the match, Balzan's Moldovan defender Maxim Focsa proposed to his girlfriend outside the dressing rooms.
Effiong was named BOV player of the match.