Balzan registered their second consecutive win when in a match in which they dominated for long stretches they beat Santa Lucia by two first half goals.
Balzan went into this match following a 3-1 win over Zebbug Rangers in their first outing. Their opponents Santa Lucia, on the other hand, lost their first match against Gzira United and thus hoped of a better outcome from this tricky encounter.
Balzan, this year led by former Santa Lucia coach Oliver Spiteri, look a better bet than last season in which they struggled and it was only in the last day that they saved their status. As for Santa Lucia thought they were mathematically relegated, thanks to Pembroke they found themselves back amongst the elite.
The first action of the match was Balzan’s opener. Jurgen Pisani put Miguel Alba under pressure with Nogureira taking possession of the ball with his low drive ending in the corner of the net.
It was all Balzan who threatened once again in the 24th minute but a Torres shot from the edge of the area sailed over the bar. But a minute later Balzan doubled their lead when Torres played a perfect pass towards Uros Ljubomirac whom with only Ciappara to beat made no mistake.
On the half hour another chance for Balzan this time goalkeeper Ciappara denied them with a spectacular save, turning onto a corner a Torres diagonal shot from inside the area.
Balzan started the second half on the same pattern as the first forty five minutes and on 46 minutes a Torres shot ended inches wide. And inthe 52nd minute a Torres free kick was blocked by an alert Ciappara.
A minute later came the Saints first chance when an Alba low drive was deflected into a corner. In the 68th minute a shot by Rodrigues from outside the area went just over the bar.
Sixteen minutes from time Ciappara saved consecutive shots from Duric. Till the end Balzan controlled well and cruised to another win which keeps them along Birkirkara at the summit of the BOV Premier League.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina
