BOV Premier League | Senglea Athletic 0 – Balzan 5

Balzan found no difficulty against Senglea Athletic as they registered a comfortable 5-0 win.

Photo: Dominic Borg
Photo: Dominic Borg

Balzan started the match as clear favourites to secure the three points. Marko Micovic’s side didn’t make the best of starts to the campaign as they were defeated by Birkirkara. However, they recovered and won against Qormi in their previous encounter.

On the other hand, Senglea lost their first two matches against Qormi and Mosta and thus their chances of getting something from this match were quite limited.

Balzan made their intentions clear from the start and should have opened the score after five minutes. Andrija Majdevac squared the ball for the unmarked Milos Lepovic who finished over from close range.

Senglea hit back and were unlucky not to score on the 11th minute. From a free-kick, Ferdinando Salvati saw his effort hitting the upright.

However, as time went by, Balzan got the control of the game and forged ahead on the 25th minute. Salvati brought down Alfred Effiong inside the penalty area and the referee signalled for a penalty. From the eleven metres mark, Andrija Majdevac made no mistake.

Balzan remained on the offensive and doubled their advantage on the 42nd minute. Ivan Bozovic drilled a low cross towards Milos Lepovic whose powerful strike gave Matthew Farrugia no chance.

Effiong created another chance for Balzan one minute from half-time. Alex Da Paixao Alves played the Maltese forward through on the right side and the latter hit a diagonal shot that sailed wide.

Balzan started the second half the way they finished the first and had a glorious chance to score again on the 46th minute. Majdevac was played through on goal before going round Farrugia. The Serbian forward hit a shot on goal, but his effort was blocked on the line by Andre` White.

However, Majdevac scored Balzan’s third goal on the hour mark. Bozovic delivered a low cross in the direction of the twenty-one year old who slotted the ball home from close range.

Four minutes later, Balzan made it 4-0. Majdevac played Dale Camilleri through and the latter concluded inside the net without much difficulty.

Senglea’s defence could not handle Balzan’s forwards as the latter created another chance on the 79th minute. Sean Cipriott send a long ball towards Alex Da Paixao Alves who failed to hit the target from inside the penalty area.

Moments later, Cipriott fired a close range shot that was blocked by Farrugia.

Balzan scored their fifth goal on the 87th minute. Romani Tcanturia  fouled Da Paixao Alves inside the penalty area and the referee whistled for another penalty in favour of Balzan. Paixao himself took charge of the spot kick and converted.

Senglea had a rare opportunity one minute from time. Following a long ball inside the penalty area, the ball fell for Salvati whose shot was saved by Sean Mintoff.

Senglea Athletic starting line-up: Matthew Farrugia, Brandon Muscat, Ferdinando Salvati, Manuel Guillari, Braian Alexis Volpini, Imanol Benac Gonzalez, Zachary Cassar, Daniel Buckle, Karl Cutajar, Romani Tcanturia, Andre` White

Balzan starting line-up: Sean Mintoff, Dale Camilleri, Nenad Sljivic, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Steven Bezzina, Michael Johnson, Alfred Effiong, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Andrija Majdevac, Milos Lepovic

Referee: Matthew Degabriele

Assistant Referees: Christopher Francalanza, Darko Stankovic

Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri

BOV Player of the Match: Andrija Majdevac (Balzan)