BALZAN          0

BIRKIRKARA 0

Birkirkara and Balzan were forced to settle for a drab goalless drab, a result that did little to improve their position in the standings.

The match had emanated encouraging signs in the first half as after two minutes Balzan striker Andrija Majdevac showed great footwork to move past two defenders but his low drive rolled just wide.

Birkirkara responded on seven minutes when Mislav Andjelkovic released Luke Montebello who sped into the area and his angled drive flashed wide.

The Stripes should have scored on 20 minutes when Jake Grech sent a perfect throughball to Montebello who was denied by the onrushing Steve Sultana.

Balzan’s best chance of the half arrived on 39 minutes when Uros Ljubomirac was left in space and with only Kristijan Naumovski to beat he fired wide.

Poor communication between their defenders almost cost dearly to Balzan but Montebello’s shot was pushed away by Sultana.

Twenty minutes into the second half, John Arne Riise effected a double change as he roped in Michael Mifsud and Jorginho for Montebello and Marcelinho as he looked to bolster the forward line.

On 69 minutes, Kadu played in Majdevac but the young striker could only flick the ball into the sidenetting.

Three minutes later, Sultana dived to his right to push away Matthew Guillaumier’s shot.

Eight minutes from time Mifsud fed Matthew Guillaumier but his low drive was blocked by Sultana.

Birkirkara ended the match with ten men when substitute Terence Agius was dismissed for a rash challenge on Paul Fenech.

Balzan goalkeeper Steve Sultana was voted as the BOV Player of the match.

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore

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