Qormi 1
Balzan 3
Qormi: J. Azzopardi, D. Mansi, Y. Yankam (M. Borg 70), A. Rozzi, M. Micallef, M. Reggis, F. Gnindokponou, W. De Oliveira (N. Ghio 67), A. Cassar (N. Gauci 86), L. Santana, T. Gusman
Balzan: S. Sultana, A. Kosoric, D. Camilleri, N. Sljivic, S. Pisani (A. Effiong 55), P. Fenech (S. Cipriott 65), U. Ljubomirac (L. Micallef 70), I. Bozovic, C. De Fiori Mendes, R. Correa, A. Majdevac
Referee: S. Pace
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, D. Spencer
4th official: G. Tonna
Scorers: R. Correa 45, A. Majdevac 45, 60, A. Rozzi 75
Yellow cards: A. Cassar 30, Y. Yankam 36, A. Kosoric 47, S. Pisani 50, L. Micallef 90
BoV Player of the match: A. Majdevac
TMI Top 3: 1. A. Majdevac, 2. D. Correa, 3. U. Ljubomirac
Balzan found little difficulty in disposing of bottom club Qormi thus moving onto the 5th spot alongside Hamrun on 27 points.
Two quick goals near the end of the first half by Ricardo Correa and Andrija Majdevac paved the way for their victory. The same Majdevac added a third in the second half before Qormi reduced the arrears through Antonio Rozzi.
The defeat keeps Qormi firmly anchored to the bottom of the standings with just 4 points.
Balzan gave Steven Pisani his debut - he joined from Floriana just a few days ago.
The first half was a boring affair characterised by a lot of midfield play which certainly did not enthuse the small crowd present.
Balzan enjoyed more possession but could not make any headway against a solid Qormi rearguard where Mansi and Rozzi were outstanding. It was only just before the interval that they managed to break the ice and consolidated it with a second goal before the end of the first 45 minutes.
Qormi were forced to defend for long stretches. They defended stubbornly and appeared to be well organised but a lapse just before the end of the first half saw them conceding the goal which gave Balzan the lead.
And they went on to suffer a second soon after as they succumbed to a quick Balzan counter attack.
When Balzan scored a third goal midway through the second half, it was certainly all over - if ever there was a doubt.
But found found some energy to move forward and score a consolation goal.
The match had a quiet start as neither team seemed able to penetrate. Balzan enjoyed territorial superiority but their first shot on goal arrived on 15 minutes, a long distance effort from Paul Fenech which was easily dealt with by Qormi goalie Jamie Azzopardi.
On 31 minutes, Balzan were awarded a freekick which was taken by De Fiori Mendes. But his shot was punched out by goalie Azzopardi.
In the 40th minute, a Paul Fenech freekick bounced awkwardly in the Qormi area, but Pisani was a second too late to connect.
Five minutes later, Balzan took the lead when off a Bozovic cross, it was Correa who breasted the ball down before firing home an unstoppable shot.
Moments later it was 2-0 as in a fast breakaway, it was Bozovic who provided the assist once again, this time setting Andrija Majdevac who made no mistake.
On 59 minutes, Balzan threatened again. It was substitute Effiong who set Ljubomirac on the right. The latter advanced to see his cross-shot missing the target by inches.
A minute later, it was 3-0 as Ljubomirac advanced on the right to cross low for Majdevac to score with a neat flick.
In the 68th minute, Qormi's Gusman advanced into the Balzan area only to fire a shot wide of the post.
Qormi scored a consolation goal on 75 minutes when off a Gnindokponou cross, the ball was cleared badly by a Balzan defender and Antonio Rozzi was on hand to fire home past a helpless Sultana.