Balzan go top after emphatic win as goals flow in BOV Challenge League

Balzan moved into sole possession of first place in the BOV Challenge League with a commanding 4-0 victory over Żebbuġ Rangers at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Sunday.

Stephen Gabriel Chiemezie was the star of the show, striking a superb hat-trick with goals in the 2nd, 12th and 62nd minutes to put Balzan firmly in control. Oluwatobiloba Dimeji Awosanya added further gloss to the scoreline just three minutes later as Balzan cruised to another important success.

Elsewhere, Birżebbuġa St. Peter’s claimed a narrow but vital 1-0 win over Marsa at the Centenary Stadium. The decisive moment arrived on 28 minutes when Alex Bruno calmly converted from the penalty spot to hand his side all three points.

Fgura United were in ruthless mood as they swept aside Mtarfa with an emphatic 8-0 victory. Timilehin Caleb Akande scored twice early on, finding the net on 7 and 40 minutes, while Dylan Caruana struck a fine hat-trick with goals on 27, 64 and 69 minutes. Abdulbasit Kolawole Shittu added a late goal on 88 minutes, followed by an own goal a minute later, before Isaiah Micallef completed the rout deep into stoppage time.

In another encounter at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Sirens and Swieqi United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Jan Tanti gave Swieqi the lead four minutes into the second half, but Sirens rescued a point when Thiago Nonato converted a penalty six minutes from time.

St. Andrews Edge Melita as Challenge League Race Remains Tight

St. Andrews claimed a hard-fought victory over close neighbours Melita after a solitary goal by Duvan Mosquera Torres proved decisive in their BOV Challenge League encounter at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday. The Colombian struck on 15 minutes, and his early effort was enough to separate the two sides in a closely contested affair.

At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Santa Lucia secured a comfortable 2–0 win over Vittoriosa Stars, with Brazilian forward Jean Carlos stealing the spotlight. He opened the scoring after just two minutes before sealing the result with his second goal in the 73rd minute.

In another fixture at the same venue, Gudja United edged past Żurrieq by a single goal. The breakthrough arrived late in the match when Donys Quintero found the net on 83 minutes to hand Gudja all three points.

Meanwhile, Pietà’ Hotspurs and Mġarr United settled for a share of the spoils in a 1–1 draw at the Centenary Stadium. Pietà’ took the lead on 41 minutes through James Brincat, but Mġarr responded swiftly as Cristhyan equalised just four minutes later.

At the top of the standings, Balzan now lead the way with 22 points, just ahead of Birżebbuġa on 21. Melita follow on 19 points, with Fgura close behind on 18. St. Andrews sit on 16, while Sirens, Pietà’, Mġarr and Swieqi are level on 14. Gudja have 13 points, Santa Lucia 11, Żurrieq 9, Marsa and Vittoriosa 6, with Żebbuġ on 1 point and Mtarfa on -3.