Balzan FC-Rabat Ajax 2-0  

Balzan: D. Miguelez Martinez, F. Aboullez, S. Bezzina, D. Grima, L. Micallef (M. Borg), JL Armario Negrin (R. Darmanin), R. Pereira, A. Scicluna, M. Spiteri, G. Calabretta, F. Vignaroli.

Rabat Ajax: P. Velimirovic, I. Carapic, S. Gauci, C.Gauci (Z. Tanti), M. Licari (R. Micallef), J. Bajada (J. Felice), D. Bajada, D. Pelaez Bellido, D. Carrillo Pendas, D. Azzopardi, M. Avila Peres.

Referee: M. Borg

Asst. Referees: I. Spiteri, S. Attard

4th official: S. Spiteri

Scorers: F. Aboullez, S. Bezzina,

Yellow cards: D. Pelaez Bellido, M. Borg,

Player of the match: D. Miguelez Martinez.

TMI Top 3: 1. D. Miguelez Martinez, 2. D. Carrillo Pendas, 3. R. Pereira.

Balzan secured their first victory of the season when they beat Rabat Ajax 2-0 in yesterday’s first match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The win follows their draw against Vittoriosa in their opening match and they now have collected four points from their opening two matches – quite a satisfying start.

But it was sheer disappointment for the Ajax who suffered their second consecutive defeat.

Balzan, however, have to thank not only their scorers, but also goalkeeper Daniel Miguelez Martinez who was again in splendid form, denying Rabat on at least two occasions.

In the first half, played in scorching heat, Balzan seemed to have a slight edge and saw more of the ball.

But after they opened the scoring and threatened to add a second, it was Rabat who came out of their defensive shell with goalie Miguelez Martinez denying them an equaliser on at least two occasions.

In the second half, Rabat worked hard to get back into the match, but they failed to penetrate a strong defensive rearguard in which Pereira and Calabretta had a good match.

But after Balzan scored a second goal, Rabat threw in the towel and they never threatened to get back into contention.

The first action arrived on the eighth minute – a low Carrillo Pendas low shot being easily saved by Miguelez Martinez.

Rabat missed a good opportunity on the 15th minute. Moises Avila Perez made the most of a bad back pass to the goalie, but Miguelez Martinez saved the day for Balzan by blocking to corner as Avila Perez tried to go round the goalie.

Balzan’s reply arrived on the 18th minute. It was Lydon Micallef who saw his effort going just wide.

Balzan eventually took the lead on the 24th minute. A long distance shot by Firas Aboullez was deflected slightly past the surprised Velimirovic.

Moments later, it was Negrin who tested the Rabat goalie, but the latter saved.

In the 38th minute, a David Azzopardi cross was headed goalwards by Malcolm Licari, but Andrew Scicluna cleared from over the line.

Three minutes later, it was again Miguelez Martinez who denied Rabat the equaliser as he blocked a Moises Avila Perez incursion.

And on the 44th minute, it was again the Balzan goalie who denied Avila Perez who was put through by Carrillo Pendas.

Just before the interval, at the other end, Calabretta set Negrin beautifully in the Rabat area, but goalie Velimirovic rushed out of his charge to save.

Actions were few and far between in the second half and we had to wait till the 60th minute to see Rabat getting close to an equaliser through Carrillo Pendas, who saw his shot turned to corner by Miguelez Martinez. Soon after a David Azzopardi shot luckily hit the goalie and finished in an abortive corner.

Rabat went even closer on the 65th minute through a Carrillo Pendas freekick which hit the post and went dead.

Despite their efforts Rabat failed to penetrate and it was Balzan who scored a second goal on 75 minutes when Steve Bezzina fired a splendid rising shot from the edge of the area that beat the Rabat goalie all ends up.

Balzan almost added another one on the 82nd minute when off a Firas Aboullez cross, it was Negrin who had a header hitting the crossbar.