Balzan beat Saints to stay top

Aleksandar Vujacic’s brace kept Balzan in first place in a 2-0 victory over bottom-placed St. Andrews at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun.

Following a goalless first half, the leaders took the lead on the 55th minute when Vujacic beat goalkeeper St Andrews goaler Kris Callej with a powerful shot.

A minute later, Malta international striker Alfred Effiong set up Vujacic for his second with an exquisite back-heel pass which the Montenegrin striker had no difficulty in tapping in the Saints’ goal.

ST. ANDREWS Kris Calleja, Jordan Williams, Dale Camilleri, Mariglen Sehitaj, Matthew Guillamier, Joseph Farrugia, Kyrian Nwoko, Michael Johnson, Chris Deguidjol (83’ Jacob Walker), Clyde Cumbo, Liam Grech (60’ Michael Grima).
Subs not used: Dorian Bugeja, Ryan Sammut, Nicky Vella Petroni, Luca Cosmai, Wade Moodley,
Coach: Wayne Attard

BALZAN Christian Cassar, Dylan Grima, Edison David Bilbao Zarate (82’ Juan Corbolan), Samir Arab, Godwin Mensha, Alexandar Vujacic, Alfred Effiong, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero (64’ Terrance Agius), Lydon Micallef (75’ Sean Cipriott), Maxim Fosca, Justin Grioli.
Subs not used: Mikhail Sciberras, Ryan Darmanin, Clive Brincat, Luke Sciberras,
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Esther Azzopardi
Assistant referees: Roberto Vella, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Scorers: 55’ Aleksandar Vujacic, 56’ Aleksandar Vujacic
BOV Player of the Match: Alexander Vujacic

Naxxar’s Argentine forward Emiliano Lattes gifted the Lions the first three points of the season against their rivals Mosta.
Lattes’ brace earned Naxxar’s fans the bragging rights in what turned out to be fiercely contested derby at the National Stadium.
Under the guidance of new coach Clive Mizzi, Naxxar were the hungrier side and drew first blood on 14 minutes when Lattes’ low shot beat Yenz Cini in the Mosta goal to send Lions fans into raptures.
Naxxar were in control of the game for most of the game and Mizzi will be satisfied with his team’s performance following seven straight defeats. His counterpart Peter Smith will however be deeply disappointed with his men, especially after last week’s impressive 4-1 victory over champions Hibernians.
On 17 minutes, Naxxar doubled their lead as Lattes took advantage of Mosta’s lax marking and slotted the ball past the Mosta goalkeeper with a shot from inside the area.
Following the break, Mosta were awarded a free-kick from which Bobby Frederick saw his powerful header comfortably saved by Naxxar goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi.
Mosta went close to scoring a consilation on 84 minutes thanks to a direct freekick from Saviour Fidelis which hit the crossbar.
After the final whistle, Mosta’s Ian Zammit and Naxxar’s Richard Cardozo were shown the red card by referee Clayton Pisani following a heated argument between the two.

MOSTA Yenz Cini, Tyrone Farrugia (86′ Adrian Borg), Manolito Micallef, Osa Guobadia, Ryan Grech (34′ James Brincat), Hassan Yau, Samuel Chukwide (35′ Saviour Fidelis), Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Edile Micheletti Awoh, Ian Zammit, Fredrick Bobby Abel.
Subs not used: Omar Borg, Mark Brincat, Kurt Camilleri, Kyle Frendo.
Coach: Anton Cremona

NAXXAR Julian Azzopardi, Blazo Rajovic, Andrew Scicluna, Moise Zady Gnenegbe, Richard Carlos Cardozo (88′ Duane Bonnici), Daren Falzon (67′ Sidoine Oussou), Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Jurgen Debono, Ishmael Grech, Emiliano Lattes, Armando Tarlazis Vieira dos Santos (80′ Mattia Del Negro).
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Arya Koorosh Haghigi, Isaac McCarthy, Ryan Mercieca.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referee: Mitchell Scerri, David Castillo
Additional Assistant Referees: Marco Borg, Philip Farrugia
Fourth Official: Edward Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Chukwide, Guobadia, Azzopardi, Debono
Scorers: 14′ Emiliano Lattes, 17′ Emiliano Lattes
BOV Player of the Match: Emiliano Lattes