Already promoted Balzan Youths, beat St George’s with a second half goal to make sure of winning the title. With three matches remaining Balzan Youths have a commanding ten-point lead over joint second Mqabba and Mosta.

Balzan played the better football, but the Saints came back strongly after suffering the goal, and could have even grabbed an equalizer with sharper finishing. St George’s are now practically out of the promotion race.

Balzan fully deserved winning this title as they were the better team throughout the campaign, with players like Renato Conceicao and Pedro Dos Santos Calcado making all the difference.

Balzan dominated the first half for long stretches with the Saints on the defensive. After eight minutes Balzan went close when Aaron Agius sent a long ball towards Pedro Dos Santos Calcado who tested goalkeeper Thomas Galea from an acute angle.

Although constantly on the attack Balzan had to wait till the 30 th minute to have another glimpse of goal. Calocado scorcher direct from a freekick was partially saved by Thomas Galea but from the rebound Clint Micallef failed to hit home.

Five minutes from the break the Saints had their only chance of the first half when a Ruiz shot on the turn skimmed the crossbar, finishing on the roof of the net. On 43 minutes Balzan had a good move with Conceicao passing towards Steve Meilak who made his way inside the box, with his shot missing the base of the upright by inches.

Just before the break Balzan were rather unlucky when Renato Conceicao’s point blanks shot destined to the back of the net, hit Balzan’s Steve Meilak

Balzan continued to attack on the resumption with Calcado missing a sitter on 48 minutes, shooting incredibly wide when all alone in front of goal. But three minutes later Balzan forged ahead when Steve Meilak headed home a Calcado well taken freekick.

Minutes later the Saints went close to an equaliser when Milutinovic’s header towards goal was cleared by defender Francica.

A Glenn Bonello freekick was well saved by Tabone, and on the hour St George’s missed their best chance when Anthony Bonello failed to score following a melee in front of the Balzan goal.

Ten minutes later St George’s missed another incredible chance when Josef Dalli blasted high from two meters following a Benoir Fenech cross shot. Balzan had some good chances in their breaks with Calcado passing towards David Fenech who was denied by a good Galea save.

St George’s continued to press forward in the dying stages with a Gary Inguanez freekick well saved by Tabone. Just before the final whistle Balzan’s substitute Lydon Micallef’s shot from an angle missed the crossbar by a whisker.

Balzan Y F. Tabone, C. Ciantar, J. Francica, R. Forace (D. Agius), D. Grima, R. Conceicao, C. Micallef, A. Agius (D. Fenech), P. Dos Santos Calcado, S. Meilak (L. Micalef), U. Anywanna.

St. George’s T. Galea, A. Bonello (E. Amaira), M. Milutinovic, E. Sevasta, N. Caruana (L. Stivala), L. Agius, B. Fenech, J. Dalli, D. Zarb, G. Bonello (G. Inguanez), J. Ruiz.

Referee Chris Lautier