Balzan broke little sweat to cruise past bottom-placed St Andrews 5-1 at the Tedesco Stadium.

Balzan took the lead on 22 minutes.

Steve Bezzina picked Alfred Effiong on the edge of the area and the Malta striker laid the ball to Alan Da Silva Souza who curled the ball into the top corner of the net.

The Reds almost struck again on 28 minutes when Da Silva Souza dispossessed Bon Won Che and quickly released Pedrinho whose shot was tipped to a corner by Jake Galea.

From the ensuing flag-kick, taken by Pedrinho, the Saints defence failed to clear the ball and in came Lydon Micallef who rammed home.

On the restart, Balzan continued to assert their dominance and on 53 minutes Effiong raced to meet Pedrinho’s throughball and the Malta forward dashed into the area before beating Galea with a firm drive.

Six minutes later, Balzan added a fourth when Da Silva Souza flicked the ball towards Pedrinho who rammed the ball past Galea.

St Andrew’s managed to pull a goal back four minutes later when Francis Onwudinjo was brought down in the area by Justin Grioli and Joseph Farrugia converted the resultant penalty.

But it was Balzan who wrapped up the points when in a swift break Micallef broke free and chipped the ball over Galea.

In time added on Samir Arab almost put his name on the scoresheet but his rising shot came off the post.

Balzan striker Alfred Effiong was voted as the BOV Player of the match.