Atkinson stuns Balzan with late winner
Kevaun Atkinson scored a stunner on 87 minutes to give St Andrews a 3-2 win over the more fancied Balzan.
The Saints player, named Player of the Match, scored two of his side’s goals, having opened the scoring earlier in the match. Perry had scored the second goal for the Saints. Balzan had come from behind twice, first through Effiong and later through a Kaljevic penalty.
Balzan saw more of the ball and were the better equipped team technically, but the Saints did not stare at them and they also gave a valid contribution towards an interesting first 45 minutes.
In actual fact, the faster Saints proved more than a handful for the Balzan defence which was at sixes and sevens when the Saints strikers had the ball at their feet.
Except for Effiong’s temporary equaliser, Balzan had little to show at the end of the first 45 minutes.
However, they showed more determination at the start of the second half. And it was no surprise that they equalised a second time after just four minutes, albeit from a penalty.
But after missing two great chances in the later stages, they suffered that 87th minute stunner which saw them suffering their first defeat of the new season.
The Saints were not perturbed and hit back to finish the match on a crescendo, also missing another chance to add a fourth goal to their tally.
St Andrews broke the deadlock on the 26th minute. And what a goal it was! Farrugia set Kevaun Atkinson outside the area. The latter went round at least three Balzan defenders before hitting home past Janjusevic.
Balzan equalised five minutes later. From a Ryan Fenech freekick, Alfred Effiong anticipated goalie Calleja Cremona to head into an empty net.
Five minutes from the interval, St Andrews re-established their lead. From a Grima cornerkick, Pena Beltre headed forward for Nehemiah Perry to head into the Balzan net.
Balzan went out in search of an equaliser in the second half and on the 49th minute, they were awarded a penalty when Grant floored Ljubomirac in the area. From the spot-kick, Kaljevic made no mistake. Eight minutes later, Kaljevic set Effiong beautifully; the latter advanced only to see the onrushing goalie Calleja Cremona effect a very good block. The Saints goalie was again prominent a few moments later when he rushed out of his charge to make another miraculous block on substitute da Paixao who advanced unhindered on another good pass from Kaljevic. In the 87th minute, Kevaun Atkinson showed pace and skill as he deceived goalie Janjusevic before firing home a stunning winner.