BOV Premier League | Valletta 1 – Balzan 0

In the first opportunity on goal after twenty minutes, Valletta managed break the deadlock. Uchenna Calistus sent a long ball towards Romeu Romao who fired a stunning shot from a tight angle that gave Ivan Janjusevic no chance.

Balzan hit back on the half hour mark. Alan Da Silva Souza served Abdelkarim Nafti and the latter fired a shot that forced a good save from Dziugas Bartkus.

Five minutes later, Valletta went close to double the score. Luke Montebello won possession and delivered the ball inside the penalty area towards Steve Borg whose shot ended up slightly wide.

On the 42nd minute, Valdo Congalves Alihno of Valletta hit a shot from distance that found Janjusevic on the alert as he tipped the ball for a corner.

The Balzan goalkeeper was on the alert again on the 57th minute. From a free kick, Leandro Aguirre delivered the ball towards Jonathan Caruana whose header was saved by Janjusevic.

Oliver Spiteri’s side replied four minutes later. From a corner, Nafti found Kaljevic who headed high.

Balzan pushed more and had another chance on the 68th minute. Ryan Fenech passed the ball towards Da Silva Souza and the Brazilian forced a difficult save from Dziugas Bartkus.

Five minutes from time, Balzan’s hopes took a setback when Anderson De Barros was sent off after being shown his second yellow card following a foul on Alihno.

In the last chance of the match, Janjusevic denied Valletta again. From a free kick, Leandro Aguirre saw his shot being saved by the Montenegrin goalkeeper.

Balzan starting line-up: Ivan Janjusevic, Samir Arab, Bruno Giglio De Oliveira, Bojan Kaljevic, Ryan Fenech, Steve Bezzina, Alan Da Silva Souza, Abdelkarim Nafti, Elkin Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Anderson De Barros.

Valletta starting line-up: Dziugas Bartkus, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Santiago Malano, Luke Montebello, Claudio Pani, Umeh Uchenna Calistus, Leandro Aguirre, Valdo Goncalves Alinho, Romeu Pericles Romao.

Referee: Clayton Pisani

Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Thomas Debono

Additional Assistant Referees: Trustin Farrugia Cann, Glen Tonna

Fourth Official: Jurgen Spiteri

BOV Player of the Match: Romeo Romao (Valletta)