Balzan clinch Championship Pool spot

Valletta now starts the second phase of the season with 27 points while Naxxar start with 14.

Valletta had a good scoring opportunity ten minutes into the match when Hamza Barry's header from close range was heading into the net but goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo performed a fantastic save.

Balzan immediately replied when Jose Luis Armario Negrin's shot on goal from close range went just wide.

Valletta were unlucky not to score again on the 23rd minute. Off a cross by Steve Borg, Hamza Barry was unlucky not to score when he hit the woodwork.

Most of the second half was much the same as the first with goal scoring opportunities from both sides but great goal keeping kept the ball out of the net.

Valletta managed to take the lead on the 84th minute.

A powerful shot by Aziz Corr Nyang left no chance for goalkeeper Manual Bartolo.

VALLETTA Nukri Revishvili, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Fenech, Edmond Agius (79′ Luke Montebello), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (90′ Irakli Maisuradze), Roderick Briffa, Owonikoko Abayomi Seun, Hamza Barry, Shaun Bajada, Abdelkarim Nafti (68′ Aziz Corr Nyang).
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Ian Azzopardi, Llywelyn Cremona, Dario Tabone.
Coach: Andre Paus

BALZAN Manuel Bartolo, Justin Grioli, Kurt Magro, Ramon dos Santos, Dylan Grima, Luke Sciberras, Lydon Micallef (86′ Ryan Darmanin), Godwin Mckay (85' Firas Aboulezz), Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Jose Luis Armario Negrin.
Subs not used: Michael Falzon, Mark Spiteri, Charlie Fuller, Gianfranco Micallef, Juan Corbalan.
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Albert Borg Cardona
Fourth Official: Glenn Tonna
Yellow Cards: Micallef, Borg, Zarate, Pedrinho, Magro, Mifsud Triganza, Ramon
Scorers: 84′ Aziz Corr Nyang
BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Fenech