Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1060184
29 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 DECEMBER 2018 SPORTS BOV PREMIER LEAGUE PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG BALZAN came from behind to secure an important 3-1 win over Sliema Wanderers The second match at the Hi- bernians stadium yesterday saw the teams of Sliema Wan- derers and Balzan facing off each other. Unlike previous seasons, the Wanderers are be- ing more consistent and came into this match sitting fourth. They were coming from a 2-0 win over bottom side Senglea Athletic. The same cannot be said for Balzan. During this campaign, Balzan struggled to gain con- sistency and are currently sixth. In light of this, they needed to register a win in this direct match if they are to secure a place inside the Europa League at least. Sliema created the first chance of the match on the 11th minute. From a free-kick, Matias Muchardi unleashed a powerful shot that forced an excellent save from Steve Sul- tana. Balzan hit back on the 37th minute. Alex Da Paixao Alves drilled a low shot from dis- tance that was neutralised by Jake Galea. Alves threatened Sliema again two minutes from half-time. The Brazilian hit a powerful shot that was parried by Jake Galea. The post denied Balzan from scoring the first goal of the match on the brink of half- time. Sean Cipriott fired a shot from a distance that stamped off the upright. Sliema made a great start to the second half as they went ahead on the 48th minute. Muchardi's shot from a free- kick went inside the net. The second assistant referee raised his flag for an offside. The ref- eree went towards him to dis- cuss the incident and decided to award the goal. Moments later, Muchardi sent a shot from a distance that ended up slightly wide. Balzan equalised on the 68th minute. Following a congestion inside the penalty area, the ball went into the path of Alfred Ef- fiong who placed the ball inside the net from close range. Micovic's men scored the winning goal on the 83rd min- ute. Sliema's defence failed to clear their marks following a corner, Michael Johnson was at the right place at the right time and headed the ball home. Balzan made sure of the three points one minute from time. Effiong went on an excellent run before delivering the ball towards Andrija Majdevac and the substitute hit a low shot that was deflected inside the net. Following this result, Balzan are on level points with Sliema. Both sides have earned twenty- two points so far. Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Jake Galea, Matias Muchardi, Kurt Shaw, Mark Scerri, Jefferson De Assis, Nii Nortey Ashong, Frank Temile, Michele Sansone, Claudio Pa- ni, Goran Adamovic, Stefano Biancardi Balzan starting line-up: Steven Sultana, Justin Gri- oli, Nenad Sljivic, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Michael John- son, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, El- kin Orlando Serrano Valero, Carlos De Fiori Mendes, Sean Cipriott Referee: Philip Farrugia Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Dusan Petrovic Fourth Official: Darryl Agius BOV Player of the Match: Matias Muchardi (Sliema) Balzan come from behind to beat Sliema Floriana held by St Andrews Sliema Wanderers Balzan 1 3 PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG FLORIANA lost more points as they were held by St Andrews in a 0-0 draw. St Andrews created the first chance of the match on the 23rd minute. Ri- cardo Martin's effort from a free-kick was tipped behind by Ini Etim Akpan. The Saints went close again on the 36th minute. Following a free-kick, the ball went into the path of Kemar Reid who finished wide from close range. Floriana replied on the 43rd minute. Ignacio Varela delivered a danger- ous cross, but none of his team mates managed to make contact with the ball. St Andrews lost a golden opportuni- ty on the 68th minute. Reid sent Davis through on goal, but the latter failed to hit the target. Two minutes later, Reid received the ball from Davis and fired an angled shot that was saved by Akpan. St Andrews were reduced to ten men on the 90th minute as Andy Brown was sent off after being shown his second yellow card of the match. However, there wasn't enough time for Floriana to react as they were held in a goalless draw. St Andrews starting line-up: Mat- thew Calleja Cremona, Alex Sa- tariano, Kevyn McFarlane, Ricardo Martin, Travis Blagrove, Kevaun At- kinson, Kemar Reid, Joseph Farrugia, Adrian Borg, Amoy Brown, Martin Davis Floriana starting line-up: Ini Etim Akpan, Mohammed Saleh, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Ignacio Varela, Goran Galesic, Jurgen Pisani, Tiago Gal- vao da Silva, Alexander Cini, Arthur Henrique Ricciardi Oyama, Emerson Marcellina Referee: Etienne Mangion Assistant Referees: Cristopher Francalanza, Thomas Debono Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann BOV Player of the Match: Martin Davis (St Andrews)