Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1080741
28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 FEBRUARY 2019 BOV PREMIER LEAGUE SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG WARREN ZAMMIT BALZAN dropped points again yester- daty again as they were held by Mosta in a goalless draw. The match was played at a very slow tempo during the first half with both sides committing too many mistakes at the centre of the pitch. In fact, only one chance was created during the first 45 minutes. The first and only chance on goal of the first half was created by Balzan on the 42nd minute. Alfred Effiong squared the ball for Uros Ljubomirac and the latter saw his effort from the right side of the penalty area going high. Balzan improved during the second half and managed to create a number of op- portunities. Jacques Scerri's men were unlucky not to go ahead on the 51st minute. Carlos De Fiori Mendes delivered the ball towards Andrija Majdevac whose header stamped off the upright. Cadu threatened Mosta again on the 71st minute. The Brazilian hit a powerful shot from distance that sailed over. Andreas Vella was on the alert to deny Balzan on the 75th minute. Majdevac passed the ball towards the unmarked Ly- don Micallef; however, the substitute saw his close range effort being saved by Mo- sta's goalkeeper. Five minutes later, Cadu drilled a low shot from inside the penalty area that sailed marginally wide. On the 88th minute, Ljubomirac tried his luck from a free-kick, but his effort ended up high. Mosta's only chance of the second half was created during the additional time. Juri Cisotti's long range effort was neu- tralised by Sean Mintoff. Mosta starting line-up: Andreas Vella, Gianluca Cuomo, Alexander Darlington, Kyle Frendo, Massimmo Sammartino, Dexter Xuereb, Rafael Da Silva Morisco, Tyrone Farrugia, Federico Franchini, Akeem Roach, Juri Cisotti Balzan starting line-up: Sean Mintoff, Aleksandar Kosoric, Nenad Slijivic, Steve Pisani, Steven Bezzina, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Carlos De Fiori Mendes, Amdrija Majdevac, Mi- los Lepovic Referee: Darryl Agius Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Duncan Spencer Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit BOV Player of the Match: Carlos De Fiori Mendes (Balzan) Mosta Balzan 0 0 SLIEMA'S poor form contin- ued as they were held by St An- drews in a 1-1 draw. Sliema made an excellent start to the match as they broke the deadlock after 4 minutes. Younes Marzouk's volley from a corner stamped off Kurt Shaw and rolled inside the net. St Andrews equalised on the 64th minute. Mattew Woo Ling was brought down inside the penalty area by Jonathan Pearson and the referee whis- tled for a penalty. Martin Davis stepped up and converted. Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Jake Galea, Matias Muchardi, Kurt Shaw, Jona- than Pearson, John Mintoff, Ignacio Varela, Ashong Nii Nortey, Michele Sansone, Claudio Pani, Stefano Bianci- ardi, Younes Marzouk St Andrews starting line- up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Alex Satariano, Ricardo Mar- tin, Travis Blagrove, Joseph Farrugia, Kurt Magro, Adrian Borg, Jacob Walker, Martin Davis, Jackson Degran, Mat- thew Woo Ling Referee: Philip Farrugia Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Mitchell Scerri Fourth Official: Ishmael Barbara BOV Player of the Match: Younes Marzouk (Sliema) Sliema Wanderers St Andrews 1 1 Balzan held on Jacques Scerri's debut Sliema Wanderers' slump continues