Santa Lucia             0
Balzan                     3

Santa Lucia: R. Caruana, G. Mentz, A. Magri Overend, D. Mendoza,  J.  Magri Overend (D. Agius 64'), K. Ante Rosero, L. Riascos, F. Zuniga, C. Escobar, L. Galea, R. Tachikawa (O. Elouni 77')

Balzan: K. Naumovski, A. Loof, A. Kosoric, S. Pisani, M. Johnson (S. Bezzina 37'), P. Fenech (L. Montebello 87'),  A. Effiong, U. Ljubomirac, I. Bozovic, S. Dimic (D. Camilleri 78'), A. Majdevac

Referee: Darryl Agius  

Asst. Referee:  Christopher Francalanza, Thomas Debono

Fourth Official: Alex Johnson

Yellow Cards: Loof, Kosoric, Magri Overend J. Riascos, Tachikawa

Scorers: Andrija Majdevac 49', 61', 85' pen.

BOV Player of the Match:  Andrija Majdevac (Balzan)

TMI Top 3 :  1.  A. Majdevac           2.   S. Pisani                3. K. Ante Rosero

Serbian striker Andrija Majdevac netted a hat-trick as Balzan scored three second half goal to beat Santa Lucia in the first match played on Friday at the Hibs Stadium.

Santa Lucia were not an easy nut to crack making it difficult for their opponents but they missed a handful of chances whereas Balzan were more clinical in front of goal.

Santa Lucia  made three changes to the team that lost to Floriana last week with Adam Magri Overend and Jamie Magri Overend being  handed a start instead  of Jamie Zerafa and Jacob Walker while Diego Mosquera made way for Luis Riascos.

Balzan had to do without Ricardo Correa who was replaced by Stefan Dimic forming part of a trio of attacker together with Alfred Effiong and Andrija Majdevac.

The first half lacked goal scoring opportunities though both sides adopted an aggressive attitude. Santa Lucia were first to create when on 16 minutes Jamie Magri Overend tried his luck with a long-range shot which was well saved by Kristjan Naumovski.

Balzan responded on the half hour and must consider themselves unlucky in not taking the lead. A Steve Pisani free kick was met by Andrija Majdevac but his header was deflected against the bar by Jackson Mendoza with goalkeeper Caruana completely beaten.

After a balanced first half, the second period started with Santa Lucia going near through Camilo Escobar whose fierce shot was palmed away  by the Balzan goalkeeper.

But it was Balzan who took the lead four minutes later following a swift counter attack. Ljubomirac supplied the pass towards Andrija Majdevac who beat the opposing goalkeeper with a low shot.

Balzan were now  holding the upper hand and just two minutes later goalkeeper Caruana rescued his side from further embarrasment pushing away Ljubomirac's shot. Santa Lucia replied through Adam Magri Overend who saw his shot being saved by Naumovski.

But on the hour Santa Lucia's hopes were put to rest as Balzan doubled their lead. Off a Steve Pisani corner in came Andrija Majdevac to head past a helpless Caruana scoring his side's and personal second goal.

Seventeen minutes from the end the Saints could have pulled a goal back but Kevin Ante Rosero's drive hit the upright with the Balzan goalkeeper beaten.

And in the 82nd minute Balzan put the issue beyond doubt when after Alfred Effiong was brought down in the area by Riascos it was Andrija Majdevaw who converted from the spot completing a hat-trick and giving three valuable points to his side.

As for Santa Lucia this was another disappointing result as was the case last week against Floriana. Though the team performed well they lacked the finishing touch whereas at the back left much to be desired.