Balzan open three-point lead ahead of Valletta clash

BALZAN                      2ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 0 Balzan have opened a three-point gap at the top ahead of their direct clash with Valletta after beating Ħamrun Spartans 2-0 at the National Stadium on Sunday.  It took Balzan 16 minutes to put themselves on the path to victory. Cadu’s shot from outside the area came off the woodwork but Uros Ljubomirac reacted quickest to fire the ball home. Balzan remained generally on top but had to wait until the dying minutes to seal their win. Alfred Effiong, who had a positive performance on Sunday, delivered a low cross into the box, Ljubomirac attempted to lob the ball over goalkeeper Steve Sultana and Spartans defender Daniel Zerafa diverted the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear. BOV player of the match Cadu (Balzan). BIRKIRKARA              5SENGLEA ATHLETIC 0 Birkirkara made it six wins on the trot after brushing aside Senglea Athletic 5-0 on Sunday. Srdjan Dimitrov was the main source of inspiration for Birkirkara as the Serbian playmaker struck a hat-trick to propel the Stripes to fourth, level with Hibs on 31 points. Paul Zammit and Paolo Favaretto, the coaches of Birkirkara and Senglea Athletic respectively, fielded new players. Uruguayan forward Waldemar Acosta and midfielder Terence Agius made their debut for Birkirkara while Gregori Braga de Souza earned his first start in a Senglea shirt. The game was 35 minutes old when Dimitrov gave Birkirkara the lead with a well-placed shot after receiving from Ryan Scicluna. On the stroke of half-time, the Stripes made it 2-0. They were awarded a penalty after Scicluna was brought down in the area by Senglea defender Steve Bonnici. Jake Grech converted from the spot. Dimitrov scored his second early in the second half, drilling the ball home after latching on to a through-pass. More misery befell Senglea on 64 minutes as defender Sergio Uyi sent his header past Farrugia for an own goal after he tried to intercept Edward Herrera’s cross. With 18 minutes left, Dimitrov completed his hat-trick after hitting low past Farrugia following another intelligent pass from Agius. BOV player of the match Srdjan Dimitrov (Birkirkara).