Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/955503
maltatoday SUNDAY 18 MARCH 2018 51 Balzan ....................... 2 Mosta ....................... 0 WARREN ZAMMIT BALZAN came into this match looking to build on their mo- mentum in order to stay ahead of Valletta and put their hands on the Premier League Tro- phy. On the other hand, despite facing no serious relegation threats, Mosta were eager to bounce back from three straight defeats. Marko Micovic made four changes to his starting line-up. Ivan Janjusevic, Ivan Bozovic, Alex Da Paixao Alves and Mi- chael Johnson were replaced by Sean Mintoff, Bojan Kaljevic, Harry Andrew Ascroft and Jus- tin Grioli. On the other hand, Johann Sci- cluna made five changes. Ismael Karba Bangoura, Giovanni Nuti, Kyle Frendo, Davide Mansi and Moussa Soare started the match instead of Leonardo Henrique Ferreira, Massimo Sammartino, Kurt Magro, Zachary Brincat and David Ifeanyi Nworah. As expected, Balzan con- trolled possession through-out the whole match. However, they needed to make sure that Mosta won't hit them on the counter- attack. The Premier League leaders created the first chance of the match after nineteen minutes. Justin Grioli hit a low shot from distance that sailed wide. Five minutes later, Steve Bezzina attempted another shot from distance, but he also failed to hit the target. However, Balzan managed to break the deadlock on the 25th minute through another shot from distance. Milos Lepovic's low drive from outside the pen- alty area gave Andreas Vella no chance. Vella had to be on the alert to deny Balzan from scoring again on the 28th minute. Alfred Ef- fiong received a cross inside the penalty area and headed the ball towards goal. Mosta's goal- keeper went down to his right side and parried the ball out for a corner. The post denied Balzan on the 41st minute. From a cor- ner, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes delivered a cross that was met by Effiong whose head- er stamped off the post. Re- bound fell for Uros Ljubomirac who fired wide. Three minutes later, De Fiori Mendes sent another dangerous cross from a corner that nearly stunned Vella as the ball hit the post. Balzan started the second half where left off the first and kept Mosta under heav y pressure. However, they were unable to create many chances on goal de- spite controlling possession. In fact, their first opportunity of the second half was created on the 68th minute. Paul Fenech sent a diagonal shot from out- side the penalty area that was neutralised by Vella. On the 78th minute, Uros Ljubomirac saw his volley from distance ending up over. Mosta finally hit back two minutes later. Following a fast counter, the ball went into the path of Bartulovic Damic whose powerful shot failed to hit the target. Balzan sealed the issue on the 85th minute. Alex Da Paixao Alves squared the ball towards Jacob Dominco Borg and the latter hit a thumping shot from inside the penalty area that went past Vella. In the remaining minute, Balzan remained superior to take home another three impor- tant points that put them a step closer towards their first ever Premier League. Following this result, Balzan will remain top of the Premier League for another week with just three matches to go. Balzan starting line-up: Sean Mintof f, Uros Ljubomirac (Alex Da Paixao Alves – 80), Alfred Ef fiong, Harry Andrew Ascroft, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Milos Lepovic, Ste- ve Bezzina, Bojan Kaljevic (Siraj Eddin Arab- 87), Justin Grioli (Jacob Dominco Borg- 73), Car- los Educardo De Fiori Mendes Mosta starting line-up: Andreas Vella, Ismael Karba Bangoura (Jurgen Grech- 73), Giovanni Nuti (Zachary Brincat- 80), Thomas Veronese, Kyle Frendo (Jan Tanti- 64), Davide Mansi, Tyrone Farruiga, Moussa Soare, Dexter Xuereb, Ivan Maric, Bar- tulovic Damir Referee: Alan Mario Sant Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Paul Apap Fourth Of ficial: Mario Apap Yellow Cards: Ivan Maric (Mo- sta), Dester Xuereb (Mosta), Alfred Ef fiong (Mosta), Davide Mansi (Mosta) BOV Player of the Match: Mi- los Lepovic (Balzan) Sports SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG BOV Premier League Floriana - Naxxar Lions .......................... 2-0 Hamrun Spartans - Sliema Wanderers .... 2-3 Balzan - Mosta ...................................... 2-0 St. Andrews - Valletta ............................. 0-1 Tomorrow - National Stadium 14:00 Gzira United - Senglea Athletic 16:00 Hibernians - Lija Athletic England - Premier League Burnley - Chelsea ................................ 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Today 12:00 Leganes - Sevilla 16:15 Barcelona - Athletic Bilbao 18:30 Celta Vigo - Malaga 18:30 Villarreal - Atletico Madrid 20:45 Real Madrid - Girona Germany - Bundesliga Augsburg - Werder Bremen ................... 1-3 BorussiaM. - Hoffenheim ....................... 3-3 Eintracht Frankfurt - Mainz 05 ................ 3-0 Hamburger SV - Hertha Berlin................ 1-2 Wolfsburg - Schalke 04 ......................... 0-1 Today 13:30 Borussia Dortmund - Hannover 96 15:30 FC Cologne - Bayer Leverkusen 18:00 RasenBallsport L. - Bayern Munich Football Results & Fixtures Balzan ease past Mosta In a match they dominated, Balzan registered a 2-0 win over Mosta to remain at the top of the table for another week.