Marsaxlokk 0

Balzan Youths 1

Balzan Youths continued their positive run when they managed to beat Marsaxlokk with a solitary goal scored by Dylan Grima to propel them further up to fourth place in the table.

Balzan Youths were be aiming for a sixth win in eight matches to move temporarily in fourth place and stay ahead of Qormi in the battle for a place in the Championship Pool. The Youths were unable to field their best formation due to the absence of Bledjon Guga, Bjorn Bondin and Jonathan Francica who are suspended but with the players at their disposal, they still started as firm favourites to claim the three points.

Marsaxlokk strengthened their squad over the past week with fringe players from other clubs but the team is still expected to find it difficult. They suffered five consecutive defeats, conceding ten goals and scoring none and suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat to First Division side Pieta Hotspurs in the FA Trophy.

The first minutes saw Balzan dominate proceedings without much penetration though. On 14 minutes, Balzan had a free kick which went just wide by Pedrinho. And on 16 minutes, Balzan took the lead when Dylan Grima roared into the area and blasted past Cassar.

Marsaxlokk had a glorious chance to equalize on 39 minutes when Caruana was alone in the box after a fine cross by Polidano but the forward shot well over from a few yards.

Balzan Youths could have made it two on 53 minutes when Deanov found Eviparker alone in the box but the lanky striker headed over the bar. On 66 minutes, Marsaxlokk could have equalized when Stoskovic was alone in front of the goalkeeper but his shot was blocked.

The Southseasiders continued piling up the pressure with a cross by Stoskovic which found Oladatun whose header was easily saved by Camilleri.

Balzan had a good chance on 77 minutes when dos Santos presented himself alone in the box but his header was centrally saved by Cassar. On 85 minutes, Micallef almost doubled for Balzan but he missed connecting from in front of the keeper.

Marsaxlokk: C. Cassar, M. Valeriani, K. Polidano, L. Agius, J. Xerri, T. Templeman, N Stoskovic (C Debattista), JP Farrugia, G. Caruana, P. T. Oladatun, J. Brincat (G. Buttigieg)

Balzan Y: M. Camilleri, C. Ciantar, Y. Camilleri, R. Forace, R Farrugia, N. Tasic, D Grima, J. McDonald (B.Fagner), P dos Santos Calcado, M. Deanov (L Micallef), A. Eviparker (M Ciantar)

Referee: K. Azzopardi

Scorer: D. Grima 16

Yellow cards: Polidano, Bernandes

Player of the match: Dylan Grima (Balzan Y)

TMI top 3: 1.D Grima 2. M Deanov 3. P dos Santos

BOV League Div II

San Gwann-Senglea A. 3-0