Valletta register important victory over Balzan

Valletta returned to winning ways after they defeated Balzan 3-1 in the Championship Pool.

Valletta sit just two behind Birkirkara who still have a game in hand.

Valletta, where the better side from the start. Their dominance paid of as they took the lead on the 21st minute.

Off a cross by Denni Rocha dos Santos, Jonathan Caruana had his header beat goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo.

Balzan were unlucky not to equalise just eight minutes later as Pedro Calcado’s freekick hit the woodwork and off the rebound, Balzan’s players could not control the ball as it was then saved by goalkeeper Yenz Cini.

On the 55th minute, Valletta doubled their lead. Lateef Elford-Alliyu made up for missing a goal scoring opportunity earlier with a scissors-kick from inside the area to easily beat goalkeeper Manual Bartolo and make the score 2-0.

Elford-Alliyu was unlucky to score another goal on the 64th minute when his shot from outside the area hit the crossbar.

Balzan managed to reduce Valletta’s lead on the 83rd minute. Lydon Micallef’s low shot beat goalkeeper Yenz Cini to make the score 2-1.

Valletta however would make sure they took all the points home when a brilliant shot by Edmond Agius left no chance for Manuel Bartolo.

BALZAN Manuel Bartolo, Kurt Magro, Steve Bezzina, Andrew Scicluna, Lucas Ramon dos Santos, Fabio Vignaroli, Dylan Grima (67’ Mark Spiteri), Edison David Zarate Bilbao, Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Lydon Micallef, Jose Luis Armario Negrin (67’ Ryan Darmanin).
Subs not used: Michael Falzon, Firas Aboulezz, Luke Sciberras, Shawn Bugeja, Charlie Fuller.
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

VALLETTA Yenz Cini, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Edmond Agius, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Roderick Briffa, Oscar Reyes Sanchez, Lateef Elford-Alliyu, Alan da Silva Souza (80’ Llywelyn Cremona), Denni Rocha dos Santos, Irakli Maisuradze.
Subs not used: Luke Montebello, Dario Tabone, Attard Miguel, Nukri Revishvili, Matthew Thorne, Luke Dimech.
Coach: Andre Paus

Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Luke Portelli
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna
Yellow Cards: K. Magro, D. Grima, I. Maisuradze, P. Dos Santos Calcado,
Scorers: 21’ Jonathan Caruana (V), 55’ Lateef Elford–Alliyu (V), 83’ Lydon Micallef (B), 88’ Edmond Agius (V)
BOV Player of the Match: Lateef Elford-Alliyu (Valletta)