BALZAN 1 (Micallef 64); BIRKIRKARA 0

Balzan beat rivals Birkirkara with a solitary second-half goal to reach their neighbours in third spot with 42 points.

Balzan’s justified aspirations for the league title and Birkirkara's newly discovered spirit set the stage for a highly-combative duel between two neighbours vigorously eyeing success on the day. It was obvious that there was no room for any loss in points and that also included a sharing of spoils.

Balzan started positively with Alan and Micallef pushing forward to support Effiong. Pedrinho from behind linked play neatly and sprinted into dangerous areas.

Balzan, largely through the industry of Paul Fenech facing his former side – who received an appreciative applause from his ex-supporters before kick-off – and better offensive play, kept the upper-hand and after 13 minutes, Alan sensed a half-chance and his shot was pawed away by Miroslav Kopric.

Past the half hour, Miroslav Kopric came out of his area to try to cut out Fenech’s long ball, only to miss the ball, allowing Alan a clear shot at goal but assistant referee Luke Portelli ruled out his ‘goal’ for offside much to the reprieve of the Croatian goalkeeper.

Four minutes later, Korpic had to dive to his left to turn corner on Effiong.

After the break, Birkirkara seized briefly the intiative, forcing a number of flag-kicks, from the left where Balzan looked vulnerable.

After that somehow slow start to the second half, Balzan took the game again to Birkirkara. Past the hour mark, Kopric pulled off a brilliant save to tip Fenech’s drive over the bar. From the ensuing corner, Micallef was denied again by the Croatian goalkeeper.

With Birkirkara regularly surrendering the ball, there was no reprieve for the Stripes after 64 minutes. A fluid move saw Alan and Effiong exchanging quick passes on the right which the Birkirkara defence succeeded to temporarily clear the danger until Pedrinho bore down on goal.

The Brazilian avoided a tackle just outside the ball to set up the unmarked Micallef who had blasted the ball home with an angled shot.