Balzan beat Tarxien to move back on track

After disappointing in recent outings, Balzan moved back on track as they defeated Tarxien Rainbows 3-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.

Balzan took the lead on the 23rd minute when off a corner by Cadu from the right, there was a short clearance and Michael Johnson placed the ball at the back of the net with a low shot from just outside the area

Four minutes later, Balzan doubled the score when off a cross from the right, Uros Ljubomirac headed the ball down for Alfred Effiong to hit home from close range.

Two minutes in the second half, Balzan increase the lead thanks to a powerful drive by Uros Ljubomirac which gave goalkeeper Andrea Cassar no chance.

Eight minutes from time, Michele Paolucci pulled one back for Tarxien with a low shot from the left which beat goalkeeper Steve Sultana.

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Marco Botta, Jens Wemmer, Matthew Brincat (68’ Miguel Ciantar), Michele Paolucci, Gabriel Aquilina, Daren Falzon (78’ Owen Francalanza), Andrew Agius (63’ Matthew Spiteri), Andre Scicluna, Stefan Radovanovic, Anderson De Barros.
Subs not used: Maverick Buhagiar, Giorgio Nardone, Daniel Vassallo, Ricardo Silva Faria.
Coach: Jose Borg
Asst. Coach: Saviour Debono Grech

BALZAN Steve Sultana, Justin Grioli, Dale Camilleri (68′ Siraj Arab Eddin), Nenad Sljivic, Alex de Paixao Alves (78’ Gary Camilleri), Michael Johnson, Alfred Effiong (61’ Andrija Majdevac), Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano, Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes.
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Lydon Micallef, Steve Bezzina, Neil Frendo.
Coach: Marko Micovic
Asst. Coach: Velibor Kopunovic

Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna
Yellow Cards: De Barros, Effiong, Johnson
BOV Player of the Match: Alex da Paixao Alves
Attendance: 319