Valletta edge Balzan to capture BOV Super Cup

2018 BOV SUPER CUP – 13/12/2018 VALLETTA  2BALZAN     1 2018 will go down as another memorable year in the history of Valletta FC as the Citizens edged a spirited Balzan team 2-1 to win the BOV Super Cup on Thursday at the National Stadium.  The BOV Super Cup success, their 12th in all, completed a treble of honours for Valletta in 2018 after winning a league and cup double at the end of last season. Valletta took an early lead when Balzan defender Michael Johnson appeared to divert the ball into his own net as he tried to clear a Miguel Alba cross. Balzan initially found it difficult to find their rhythm but they came strongly into the game as the first half progressed. They equalised nine minutes from half-time when Alex da Paixao Alves collected a wayward pass and sped clear before hitting a diagonal shot past Henry Bonello. The second half was a balanced, fiercely-contested affair but it was Valletta who struck the winner with 14 minutes remaining. Alba was again the provider as his cross from the right rolled into the six-yard box and Mario Fontanella anticipated his marker to rifle home. Norman Darmanin Demajo, the Malta FA President, and Deo Scerri, chairman of Bank Of Valletta, presented the BOV Super Cup to Jonathan Caruana, the captain of Valletta. VALLETTAH. Bonello, J. Caruana, S. Borg, S. Malano, M. Piciollo, E. Pena Beltre, R. Saleh, R. Muscat, M. Alba (85’ K. Nwoko), B. Kaljevic (81’ J. Borg), M. Fontanella (91’ N. Pulis). BALZANS. Sultana, J. Grioli (46’ S. Bezzina), D. Camilleri (76’ A. Majdevac), N. Sljivic, A. Da Paixao Alves, M. Johnson (87’ L. Micallef), A. Effiong, U. Ljubomirac, I. Bozovic, E. Serrano, C. De Fiori Mendes. Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann. Yellow cards: Kaljevic; De Paixao; Muscat; Kadu; Fontanella; Bozovic; Serrano; Piciollo Attendance: 2,241.