Mosta-Balzan 1-0
Mosta: M. Bernal, T. Farrugia, M. Micallef, R. Ekani, A. Borg, D. Falzon (M. Brincat), R. Grech (K. Pulo), N. Milovanovic, K. Magro, D. Bueno, B. Kaljevic (P. Calcado)
Balzan FC: S. Sultana, J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, E. Serrano, E. Zarate, O. Guobadia, C. Brincat, L. Micallef (S. Arab), O. Guerrero, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (J. Corbolan), R. Darmanin (L. Sciberras)
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, P. Abela
Additional asst. refs: M. Borg, S. Spiteri
4th official: M. Scerri
Scorers: B. Kaljevic 29
Yellow cards: C. Brincat, E. Serrano, D. Falzon, A. Borg, S. Arab, T. Farrugia
Player of the match: B. Kaljevic (Mosta)
TMI top 3: 1. R. Ekani 2. B. Kaljevic 3. S. Bezzina
Bojan Kaljevic scored the only goal of the game on the first half hour to give three precious points to Mosta, that lift them solely in second place of the BoV Premier League standings, two adrift of leaders Hibernians, and condemn Balzan to their first league defeat of the season.
Balzan have been the surprise team so far this season and after their win over Birkirkara the previos week, they found themselves in an insolitary lofty position in the standings – second on equal points with Mosta prior to kick off yesterday.
Their cutting edge was blunted with the suspension of their best striker Gianmarco Piccioni. His deputy, Ryan Darmanin, as well as Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, lacked enough incisive movement to trouble Mosta’s composed defence.
Balzan also contrived to miss a second half penalty that could have put them level after trailing to Bojan Kaljevic’s half-hour goal.
Mosta, who were trying to regroup, after dropping the first points of the season in the 1-1 derby draw against Naxxar Lions, were handicapped by the absence of their injured regular goalkeeper Omar Borg. Yesterday they gave a start to the Mexican shot stopper Marcus Bernal, naming Kyle Gerada as a substitute. Coach Enrico Piccioni preferred defender Rodriguez Ekani to midfielder Pedro Calcado in his starting line-up.
Mosta teased their opponents for the opening half hour, with their main forward Bojan Kaljevic a constant menace to the Balzan rearguard. There were already what looked like legitimate claims for a penalty when he came into contact with the Balzan keeper and fell inside the area after only six minutes. Kaljevic’s glancing header, on a Micallef sailing free kick towards the quarter hour, ended narrowly off target.
Balzan only looked notorious on 20 minutes. Guerrero’s goalbound effort on Mifsud Triganza’s cross from the right was blocked into a corner. A Grioli shot was well saved by keeper Bernal.
Kaljevic had already been denied by the Balzan keeper on a Bueno croos, before giving Mosta the lead towards the half hour. He was on target when picking Bueno’s through pass, grounded defender Serrano and steered the ball low past the helpless keeper Sultana.
Mosta could have doubled their lead before the half was over.
On a Manolito Micallef corner, Grech headed inches wide before Kaljevic connected well to Bueno’s long ball but hit feebly with only the keeper to beat.
Balzan’s only reaction aftre falling behind, came five minutes before the break. Lydon Micallef did good work, played a square pass to Darmanin who contrived to sky the ball from a promising position.
Mosta remianed the better side for most of the second half, showing more attacking intent, and should have made sure of the points with more goals. Profligacy and ill-luck denied them a more comfortable win when Kaljevic’s fierce free kick, after he himself was fouled just outside the area, thumped against the bar nine minutes into the second half.
Past the hour, Kaljevic should have wrapped it up as he ran through the static Balzan defence from half pitch, the flag did not go up but surprisingly the Mosta forward put his effort off target.
They nearly compromised their win though after conceding a penalty one minute later, after defender Borg handled inside the area. Keeper Bernal dived the right way to hold out Guerrero’s kick from the spot and Balzan’s chance went begging.
Although still one goal down and in the game, Balzan failed to summon enough effort to seriously threatened again although, in the dying minutes, Guerrero’s shot was repelled into a corner by keeper Bernal and Bezzina’s inswinging shot from a distance missed the target by a whisker.