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29 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORTS BOV PREMIER LEAGUE Balzan return to winning ways Sliema overcome Qormi PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG BALZAN returned to win- ning ways as they secured a comfortable 3-1 win over Tarxien Rainbows. Unlike recent years, Balzan are struggling to gain consist- ency. In fact, they were com- ing from two consecutive de- feats at the hands of Gżira and St Andrews. On the contrary, Tarxien registered two wins in their last two encounters. The Rainbows won against Qormi and Senglea. Balzan threatened Tarxien after nine minutes. Alex Da Paixao Alves drilled a low shot from outside the penalty area that sailed off target. Marko Micovic's men were unlucky not to score on the 13th minute. Alves delivered a cross towards Alfred Effiong whose header stamped off the upright. This was the prelude for the goal as Balzan forged ahead on the 23rd minute. Follow- ing a corner, the ball went into the path of Michael John- son whose low shot from in- side the penalty area gave An- drea Cassar no chance. Balzan doubled their advan- tage four minutes later. Uros Ljubomirac served Effiong in- side the penalty area and the latter placed the ball inside the net without much diffi- culty. Ljubomirac went close to score for Balzan on the 31st minute. The Serb hit a power- ful shot from inside the pen- alty area that went high. Tarxien replied on the 38th minute. Michele Paolucci's shot from the left was parried by Steve Sultana. This was the last opportu- nity of the first half which ended 2-0 in favour of Balzan. Balzan remained superior inside the second half and scored again on the 47th min- ute. Ljubomirac made space for himself and hit a stunning shot that ended up past Cas- sar. Tarxien hit back on the 65th minute. Gabriel Aquilina's effort was blocked by Sul- tana and the rebound fell for Paolucci who fired high. Cassar had to be on the alert to deny Balzan from scoring again on the 69th minute. From a free-kick, De Fiori Mendes hit a powerful shot that was pushed away by Tarxien's custodian. Tarxien pulled one back on the 83rd minute. Paolucci's effort from the edge of the penalty area went inside the net. However, the game was be- yond reach for the Rainbows as Balzan held firm to take home the three points. Tarxien Rainbows start- ing line-up: Andrea Cassar, Marco Botta, Jens Alexander Wemmer, Matthew Brincat, Michele Paolucci, Gabriel Aq- uilina, Darren Falzaon, An- drew Agius, Andre` Charles Scicluna, Stefan Radovanovic, Anderson de Barros Balzan starting line-up: Steve Sultana, Justin Grioli, Dale Camilleri, Nenad Sli- jivic, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Michael Johnson, Alfred Ef- fiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano Vale- ro, Carlos De Fiori Mendes Referee: Ishmael Barbara Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, William Debattista Fourth Official: Glen Ton- na BOV Player of the Match: Alex Da Paixao Alves (Balzan) SLIEMA Wanderers bounced back from two consecutive defeats with a 2-0 win over Qormi. Sliema forged ahead on the 31st min- ute. Jefferson de Assis fired a shot that was pushed away by Jamie Azzopardi. The ball went into the path of Matias Muchardi who deposited the ball inside the net. The Wanderers sealed the issue on the 69th minute. De Assis drilled a low shot that gave Azzopardi no chance. Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Jake Galea, Matias Muchardi, Jonathan Pearson , Mark Scerri, Jefferson de As- sis, Ryan Fenech, Ashong Nii Nortey, Michele Sansone, Claudio Pani, Stefa- no Bianciardi, Younes Marzouk Qormi starting line-up: Jamie Azzo- pardi, Davide Mansi, Yannick Yankam, Seo-In Kim, Manolito Micallef, Mi- chael Camilleri, Alan Abela, Alessio Cassar, Nedo Turkovic, Alexando Fer- reira dos Santos, Mendonca Kassiano Soares Referee: Darryl Agius Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Darko Stankovic Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit BOV Player of the Match: Younes Marzouk (Sliema) Sliema Wanderers Qormi 2 0 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG