Match Report: Birkirkara FC 1-3 Balzan FC
by Ayrton Galea - 10th March 2018
Birkirkara FC's run of ten matches without a defeat in the BOV Premier League came to an end on Saturday afternoon, as Balzan FC deservingly won the match with a comfortable 3-1 score.
Balzan were superior throughout the whole match and they opened a comfortable three-goal lead before the Stripes scored a consolation goal late in the match. The Stripes remains in the third position but risking slipping to fourth if Gzira United defeats Mosta tomorrow afternoon.
Coach Paul Zammit made two changes from the last match. Carlos Alberto made it on time as he replaced Jake Grech as the latter started on the substitutes' bench, while Ognjen Rolovic replaced Waldemar Acosta in attack.
The First Half
Balzan surged ahead as early as the tenth minute. Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes' in-swinging cross on the first post found unmarked Milos Lepovic inside the box who hit well past goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski.
Balzan continued to dictate matters and they were unlucky not to double their lead on the twenty-sixth minute. Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes struck a wonderful direct free-kick from distance that was denied by the crossbar.
Birkirkara's first decent scoring opportunity arrived on the thirty-ninth minute. Herrera's curling cross found Fernando Barbosa in a good position inside the box, but his header was easily saved by goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic.
The Second Half
Balzan doubled their lead after just three minutes inside the second half. Alex Da Paixao Alves' low cross found Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes who had a routine task of slotting the ball home from close-range.
Two became three on the seventy-fifth minute as dominant Balzan continued to make their superiority counts. Substitute Justin Grioli supplied an inch-perfect low cross in the path of unmarked Alfred Effiong who hit home past Naumovski.
Birkirkara pulled one back two minutes from time. Substitute Jake Grech sent a fine low cross inside the box and Ryan Scicluna flicked the ball home.
BIRKIRKARA: Kristijan Naumovski, Edward Herrera, Fernando Barbosa, Mislav Andelkovic, Kurt Zammit, Ognjen Rolovic (83' Gianluca Zammit), Nikola Vukanac, Carlos Alberto, Srdjan Dimitrov (54' Jake Grech), Ryan Scicluna, Cain Attard (83' Ayrton Attard).
BALZAN: Ivan Janjusevic (76' Sean Mintoff), Uros Ljubomirac, Alfred Effiong, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Ivan Bozovic (63' Justin Grioli), Michael Johnson, Steve Bezzina, Alex Da Paixao Alves (73' Siraj Arab Eddin), Milos Lepovic, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes.
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Jurgen Spiteri
Additional Assistant Referees: Mario Apap, Philip Farrugia
Fourth Official: Dusan Petrovic.
Yellow Cards: 5' Edward Herrera, 28' Kristijan Naumovski (Birkirkara), 12' Alfred Effiong, 19' Michael Johnson, 41' Ivan Bozovic, 90' Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes (Balzan).
Scorers: 10' Milos Lepovic, 48' Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes, 75' Alfred Effiong (Balzan), 88' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara)
BOV Player of the Match: Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes (Balzan).
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