League leaders Balzan Youths made another step towards promotion to the Premier League with an easy victory over bottom placed Msida SJ. It was sweet revenge for the leaders, as in the first round Msida staged a surprise beating Balzan 3-0, even though the result was turned into a Balzan victory by the MFA appeals board.

Balzan Youths now have a massive lead at the top, ten over second placed Mqabba and Mosta, and twelve over Melita who lie in fourth place. With four minutes remaining, Balzan need only a draw from their remaining four minutes to make sure of a Premier League spot.

Balzan Youths dominated the match from the very first whistle as Msida had nothing to offer to stop their opponents, even though they were without some regulars like Renato Conceicao and Steve Meilak. But Pedro Dos Santos Calcado was in splendid form scoring four goals.

Balzan did not take much to take the lead, as after only ten minutes Pedro Dos Santos Calcado scored a great goal direct from a freekick. Balzan continued to press their opponents for more and six minutes later they doubled the score when Calcado received from Francica, lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Firth, who partially blocked his effort, but the same Calcado took the rebound and tapped the ball home.

Balzan could have added a third on 24 minutes when Anywanna’s close range effort was blocked by Msida goalkeeper Simon Firth. Six minutes from the break Balzan scored their third goal when Calcado netted his hat trick, again direct from a freekick, this time with the complicity of goalkeeper Firth who punched the ball in his own net.

The second half was pathetic with Balzan in full control but not sharp enough in front of goal. Shots from Bondin and Anywanna missed the target. On 67 minutes Msida were unlucky not to pull one back when a Miguel Grech close range header slammed against the crossbar.

On 77 minutes Balzan scored a fourth, once again through Calcado who scored from the penalty spot. The penalty was awarded after goalkeeper Firth fouled Aaron Agius.

Five minutes from time substitute Lyden Micallef scored the fifth goal dribbling past goalkeeper Firth beforeputting at the back of the net.

Msida SJ S. Firth, J. Mifsud, L. Micallef, J. Brincat, M. Borda, M. Grech (D. Hili), M. Harper, P. Sakchai, L. Cassar, R. Xuereb (L. Micallef), G. Refalo (C. Cutajar).

Balzan Y B. Bonello, C. Ciantar (M. Buttigieg), D. Agius, C. Micallef, J. Francica (L. Micallef), B. Bondin, D. Grima (S. Ciscaldi), A. Agius, P. Calado, D. Fenech, U. Anywanna.

Referee Duncan Sultana