BIRKIRKARA          1

Scicluna 87

BALZAN                3

Lepovic 10

Cadu 49

Effiong 75

Balzan moved four points clear at the top of the BOV Premier League when they brushed aside Birkirkara 3-1 in a one-sided encounter at the National Stadium.

The Premier League leaders were off to a flying start as they were already ahead after 1o minutes.

Cadu picked up possession on the left flank and chipped in a cross for the Milos Lepovic to stab the ball behind Kristjan Naumovski, the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

The Stripes looked rattled six minutes later they almost fell two goals behind when Ivan Bozovic played in Effiong but the Malta striker was anticipated by the onrushing Naumovski.

Balzan soon regained the initiative and on 26 minutes they almost doubled their lead. They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area and Cadu’s inswinger came off the bar before Birkirkara cleared.

A minute later, the enterprising Cadu played in Effiong who was upended outside the area by Naumovski. The Balzan players demanded that the Stripes goalkeeper would be shown the red card but the Serbian was only booked.

Balzan were again quick out of their blocks on the restart.

Four minutes had elapsed when Uros Ljubomirac’s throughball found Alves who quickly sent a low cross across goal and Cadu was on hand to bundle the ball home.

On 55 minutes Uros Ljubomirac sprinted into the area and his low cross was picked by Alves who was denied by the onrushing Naumovski.

Ten minutes later, it was Janjusevic who denied the Stripes when he somehow kept out Rolovic’s powerful header from close in.

But it was Balzan who sealed the points 16 minutes from time when Justin Grioli’s low cross found Effiong who stabbed home from close in.

Birkirkara pulled a goal back three minutes from time when Jake Grech picked Ryan Scicluna who fired home from close in.

BOV Player of the Match Cadu (Balzan).