BALZAN-0, TARXIEN RAINBOWS-0
Balzan and Tarxien Rainbows had to settle for a point each after their game ended goalless.
Both teams had come into this match with four points from their first two games but it was Balzan who played the more adventurous football and created the better chances only to be denied by a string of fine saves from Andrea Cassar, the Tarxien goalkeeper.
The game started on a low-key note with scoring chances were few and far between.
On 15 minutes, Balzan striker Alfred Effiong sped into the box as he latched on to the box but his effort was cleared by the Tarxien defenders.
Justin Grioli's dangerous cross-shot from the corner was pushed away by Tarxien custodian Andrea Cassar with the aid of the crossbar.
Balzan's Godwin Mensha then fired wide from inside the box as the Reds began to show the better ideas.
Tarxien had been quiet so far but, midway into the first half, two of their Brazilian players combined to create a half-chance.
Alex Alves veered infield from the right before passing to Pedro whose curling cross was headed by Balzan defender Samir Arab with the ball sailing just past the far post.
There was another chance for the Rainbows when Anderson found himself unmarked inside the box after Hevia's initial pass had been blocked.
Balzan claimed 'offside' but as the assistant referee's flag stayed down, the Brazilian shot but his weak effort was blocked by Balzan keeper Valerio Senatore before Arab cleared.
Late in the first half, Balzan produced a spell of pressure but Tarxien held firm.
Just before the half-time break, Edison Bilbao Zarate's free-kick ended wide.
Balzan started the second half on the offensive.
Effiong drove wide after a typical powerful run.
On 63 minutes, the Malta striker once again relied on his speed to get into the Tarxien box but Oliveira cut across to close down the Balzan striker whose effort was parried away by Cassar. The latter did well again when fisting away Grioli's teasing cross from a left-wing free-kick.
Scoring chances remained rare but Balzan had a great chance to open the scoring only to be denied by a brilliant save from Cassar who pushed away substitute Ryan Darmanin's close-range header from Lydon Micallef's cross.
Cassar produced another fine intervention, pushing away Maxim Focsa's header from Grioli's corner.
In a counter-attack, Pedro released Montebello who advanced but lifted his shot high and wide under pressure from Focsa.
Focsa then took a free-kick at the other end but his effort was stopped by Cassar.
Tarxien defender Oliveira was named BOV player of the match.