Balzan 4
Qormi 2
Balzan: S. Sultana, J. Grioli, D. Camilleri, A. Da Paixao (L. Micallef 77), M. Johnson, U. Ljubomirac, I. Bozovic, E. Serrano Valero, C. De Fiori Mendes (A. Effiong 61), A. Majdevac, M. Lepovic (S. Cipriott 69).
Qormi: J. Azzopardi, D. Mansi, Y. Yankam (M. Borg 65), In Kim Seo, M. Micallef, M. Camilleri (L. Busuttil 70), A. Abela (T. Gusman 63), G. Gesualdi, A. Cassar, L. Adamec, K. Soares.
Referee: E. Mangion.
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, C. Francalanza.
4th official: S. Pace.
Scorers: A. Majdevac 40 pen., 66, I. Bozovic 46, L. Busuttil 70, A. Da Paixao 75, T. Gusman 90.
Yellow cards: U. Ljubomirac 26, M. Lepovic 33, K. Soares 34, A. Da Paixao 45, S. Cipriott 90.
Player of the match: A. Majdevac.
TMI Top 3: 1. A. Majdevac; 2. M. Lepovic, 3. U. Ljubomirac
Attendance: 703
Balzan registered their first victory of the new season yesterday as they easily overcame newly promoted Qormi to the tune of 4-1.
A penalty converted by Andrija Majdevac on 40 minutes paved the way for their victory. Other goals by Ivan Bozovic and Majdevac again, gave them a good 3-0 lead before Qormi pulled one back through Luke Busuttil. Before the end, Alex Da Paixao and Qormi's Tensior Gusman also added their name to the scorers list.
Thus Balzan bounced back following their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Birkirkara in their first match last weekend.
Balzan missed the services of striker Bojan Kaljevic as well as the suspended Correa. Qormi retained more or less the same formation as that which beat Senglea last week.
As was widely predicted, Balzan dominated possession for most of the time and although Qormi defended well and appeared to be well organised even in midfield, it was evident that it would be difficult for them to retaliate against a superior outfit.
Balzan threatened first on 18 minutes through a dangerous cross by Ivan Bozovic which Qormi goalie Jamie Azzopardi saved with great confidence ahead of Balzan striker Majdevac.
The latter went close a minute later with a low shot from the edge of the area that just missed the upright.
In the 32nd minute, from a Lepovic cross, Michael Johnson headed just over the bar.
In the 35th minute, Carlos De Fiori saw his 35-metre lob going just over the bar.
In the 40th minute, Balzan took the lead. They were awarded a penalty when Adamec floored Majdevac and the latter made no mistake from the spotkick.
Four minutes later, Ljubomirac missed a sitter for Balzan, hitting wide from an ideal position after being set by De Fiori.
Early in the second half, as Balzan continued where they left in the first half, Da Paixao and Lepovic both had good efforts just missing the target.
And on 54 minutes, Lepovic was denied by goalie Azzopardi who turned his shot to corner.
Two minutes later, Balzan made it 2-0 as Bozovic scored with a fine inswinger.
On 65 minutes, Majdevac scored his second goal after rounding the goalie to make it a resounding 3-0.
Qormi pulled one back on 71 minutes through substitute Luke Busuttil - his first touch of the ball.
Balzan re-established their three-goal lead on 76 minutes when Da Paixao concluded a fine move after receiving from Majdevac.
But it was not over yet as Qormi found some energy to score a second goal through substitute Tensior Gusman in added time.