FA Trophy | Balzan 6 – Xewkija Tigers 1

Xewkija took a surprising lead on the 16th minute. Danijel Bogdanovic’s thumping shot from a free-kick stunned Sean Mintoff.

Balzan equalised on the half hour mark. Andrija Majdevac’s cross was met by Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte whose low shot went past Mark Grima.

The score became 2-1 in favour of Balzan on the 35th minute. Following a corner, Aleksandar Kosoric placed the ball inside the net.

Balzan scored again four minutes later. Alfred Effiong served Majdevac and the latter slotted the ball inside the net.

Correa Duarte sealed Balzan’s qualification on the 58th minute. After receiving the ball from Majdevac, the Uruguayan placed the ball inside an open goal.

Balzan kept on insisting and scored two other goals.

On the 67th minute, Steve Pisani sent a rising shot that gave Grima no chance.

Correa Duarte completed his hat-trick on the 75th minute. Balzan’s midfielder anticipated the opposing goalkeeper and lobbed the ball past him.

Balzan starting line-up: Sean Mintoff, Aleksandar Kosoric, Nenad Sljivic, Steve Pisani, Steve Bezzina, Alfred Effiong, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano Valero, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte, Andrija Majdevac, Milos Lepovic

Xewkija Tigers starting line-up: Mark Grima, Manwel Tabone, Sergio Arturo Martinez Villa, Darko Krstic, Claudio Antunes Pavlidis, Darko Stojanovic, Shawn Bajada, Milos Stojanovic, Manwel Xerri, Halleson Tiago Barbosa Honorato, Danijel Bogdanovic

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Duncan Spencer
Fourth Official: Andrea Sciriha