Balzan FC 2
Sta Lucia FC 0
Balzan FC: K. Naumovski, A. Loof, N. Sljivic, S. Pisani, P. Fenech, A. Effiong (L.Montebello 72’), U. Ljubomirac, I.Bozovic, A. Faria Machado, A. Majdevac (M. Grima 90’), S. Arab (S.Bezzina 46’)
Sta Lucia FC: T. Aquilina, G. Bohrer Mentz, K. Correia, A. Magri Overend, J. Mendoza, D. Segura, K. Ante Rosero, J. Walker (D. Agius 69’), F. Zuniga, J. Zerafa (J. Magri Overend 73’), R. Tachikawa (O.Elouni 56’)
Referee: Glen Tonna
Asst refs: Alan Camilleri, Mitchell Scerri
4th official: Stefan Pace
Yellow Cards: Zerafa, Segura, Agius
Scorers: Majdevac 17’ pen., Bozovic 38’
TMI Top 3 : 1. A. Faria Machado 2. I. Bozovic 3. P. Fenech
Holders Balzan have made it to the Quarter Finals of the FA Trophy after easily disposing of Santa Lucia in the first match played at the Hibs Stadium. Though it was no stroll in the park Balzan held the upper hand and gained what they deserved.
Balzan made it to the Fourth Round of this competition after beating Second Division outfit San Gwann by three goals to nil scored by Johnson, Majdevac and Effiong. On the other hand Santa Lucia produced a giant killing act when they eliminated Sliema Wanderers by two goals to nil, with Ante Rosero and Mendoza converting for the Saints.
In their league encounter Balzan emerged easy winners by three goals to nil.
After just six minutes Santa Lucia threatened when off an Ante Rosero cross from the left flank Adam Magri Overend sent his shot wide though well placed in the middle of the box.
Santa Lucia kept doing the early running and five minutes later off a Magri Overend cross, this time from the right side, Segura saw his shot partially blocked by Naumovski with the ball finally cleared off the line.
On 12 minutes Balzan replied through a Ljubomirac cross shot which was saved by Aquilina. But it was Balzan who broke the stalemate on 17 minutes. Majdevac set Faria who was displaced off the ball by a Santa Lucia defender with referee Tonna pointing to the penalty spot. Andrija Majdevac converted in style to put Balzan in the lead.
Santa Lucia were now finding it difficult to mount a reaction and it was Balzan who went near off a direct corner by Pisani with goalkeeper Aquilina stretching to block the ball from hitting the net.
But Balzan doubled their lead seven minutes from the break. A cross shot from Ivan Bozovic hit the upright and beat Aquilina all ends up.
Five minutes into the second half Balzan could have increased their lead when Effiong supplied a perfect pass towards Steve Pisani but the latter with the goal at his mercy fired the ball on the side netting.
For long stretches play was restricted to the midfield sector with neither team venturing forward. For Balzan it was more of controlling their lead.
In fact it was only eleven minutes from time that Santa Lucia went near through a low shot from inside the area by Omar Elouni which was blocked by Naumovski.
On the other end eight minutes from the end Pisani found Montebello only for this shot to miss the target. And Santa Lucia responded through an Ante Rosero shot which was saved by Naumovski.