Balzan come from behind to beat Sliema

Henry Brincat

Balzan came from a goal behind to beat Sliema Wanderers 3-1 in yesterday’s second match at the Hibernians Stadium.

Muchardi had given Sliema the lead soon after the start of the second half, but strikes from Effiong, Johnson and Majdevac in the space of 21 minutes gave Balzan all the three points.

The win pushed Balzan into 4th place, level on points (22) with the same Sliema and Hamrun. These three clubs are six points behind current leaders Valletta, but that could change today with Gzira and Hibernians in action.

The first half was mostly yawn-laden as a lot of midfield play ensued with neither side showing creativity.

Both defences were on top of the respective strikers, but Sliema, at least, managed a single decent shot which was, however, well dealt with by Balzan goalie Sultana.

Balzan took a lot of time to settle down, allowing the Blues to take the initiative but near the end of the half, they woke up to their responsibilities and threatened to take the lead on more than one occasion.

The second half was still yawn-laden despite the fact that the Wanderers took the lead soon after the restart.

In fact, after that goal which was confirmed after Mr Philip Farrugia consulted his assistant Dusan Petrovic, goalmouth actions were few and far between, but Balzan improved as time went by and deserved to score the equaliser midway through. Not only, but they contrived to turn the match in their favour with another two goals in the last seven minutes.

The first action arrived on 11 minutes. A Muchardi freekick was excellently turned to corner by Balzan goalie Sultana.

On 20 minutes, it was De Assis who tested Sultana, but the goalie saved in two attempts.

Sliema had another opportunity on 31 minutes but this time, Muchardi’s freekick went high over the goalpost.

Balzan’s first shot on goal arrived on 38 minutes – a Da Paixao grounder which was well saved by Jake Galea.

In the 41st minute Balzan missed their best opportunity when off a Da Paixao cross, Ljubomirac controlled badly and hit well over the bar from the angle.

Moments later, a Da Paixao shot was blocked by Sliema goalie Galea and Biancardi cleared the ball to safety.

In added time, it was again Balzan who went close with a Sean Cipriott effort that hit the crossbar with Galea beaten.

Sliema broke the deadlock soon after the start of the second half in a most dramatic fashion.

A Muchardi freekick went past a forest of feet and into the Balzan net. The referee whistled for a goal, but assistant referee Dusan Petrovic put his flag up, possibly noticing an infringement. Referee Farrugia consulted his assistant for some moments, after which the goal was allowed to stand.

Sliema now held the upper hand and Sansone tried his luck from a distance, but his shot went wide.

Balzan were back in the match in the 68th minute when they drew level. It was from a De Fiori Mendes corner that the Sliema defence twice failed to clear and finally it was Alfred Effiong who slammed the ball home to solve a melee that ensued.

Balzan shocked Sliema when they scored a second goal through Michael Johnson on 83 minutes following a cornerkick action.

Majdevac assured Balzan of the three points when in a fast break, he received the ball from Effiong to beat goalie Galea, even despite Sansone’s effort to save – his deflection still finished with the ball in the net.

Photo: Christine Borg