Balzan leapfrog Sliema Wanderers

Two early goals handed Balzan a 2-1 win over Sliema Wanderers at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday. A win which enabled Balzan to leapfrog the Blues into fourth place.

Balzan now lie two points behind Hamrun Spartans and one ahead of Sliema. In their final match, Balzan face Hibernians, Hamrun meet Valletta while Sliema play against relegated side Pietà.

Balzan forged ahead on the 7th minute when Ricardo Calixto Correa’s cross shot was deflected by Aquilina onto the bar and Alfred Effiong hit home off the rebound.

Six minutes later, John Mintoff floored Correa inside the area and Andrija Majdevac converted from the penalty spot to double the score.

Kurt Shaw pulled one back for Sliema with a powerful drive which beat Sean Mintoff on the 45th minute.

BALZAN Sean Mintoff, Justin Grioli, Nenad Sljivic, Steve Pisani, Paul Fenech, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Elkin Serrano Valero, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte (88′ Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes), Andrija Majdevac (77′ Steve Bezzina), Milos Lepovic (70′ Dale Camilleri).
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Lydon Micallef, Michael Johnson, Sean Cipriott.
Coach: Jacques Scerri
Asst. Coach: Velibor Kopunovic

SLIEMA Timothy Aquilina, Alex Muscat (71′ Gareth Barone), Kurt Shaw, Jonathan Pearson, John Mintoff (24′ Frank Temile), Mark Scerri (67′ Stefan Cassar), Ignacio Varela, Ryan Fenech, Nii Nortey Ashong, Claudio Pani, Younes Marzouk.
Subs not used: Luciano Camilleri, Matias Muchardi, Kilian Amehi, Jean Paul Farrugia.
Coach: Stefano Maccoppi
Asst. Coach: Ivan Woods

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Darryl Agius
Yellow Cards: Scerri, Varela, Serrano, P. Fenech, Marzouk, Mintoff, Temile
BOV Player of the Match: Ricardo Correa

Attendance: