Balzan edge past Sliema

Balzan claimed their first three points thanks to a 2-1 win over Sliema Wanderers at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Apart from Kristian Naumovski and Stefan Dimech who had already played for Balzan in the UEFA Europa League against NK Domzale, Balzan also had Ryan Scicluna making his debut following his switch from Birkirkara.

Sliema, now under the guidance of Alfonso Greco, handed their debut to Antonio Stelitano, Jose Cleangelo Pereira, Juri Cisotti, Juan Cruz Gill and Stanimir Miloskovic.

Balzan took the lead on the 25th minute when off a corner by Stefan Dimic, Nenad Sljivic headed the ball home past goalkeeper Jake Galea.

Stefan Dimic doubled the score on the 68th minute with a header which hit the crossbar before ending at the back of the net.

Sliema pulled one back five minutes from time thanks to a great header by Jean Paul Farrugia following a corner from the right.

Three minutes in added time, Balzan were awarded a penalty after Alfred Effiong was brought down inside the area by Kurt Shaw but the Nigerian-born striker’s effort was neutralised by Jake Galea

BALZAN Kristian Naumovski, Aleksandar Kosoric, Nenad Sljivic (82′ Gary Camilleri), Steve Bezzina, Paul Fenech, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Ryan Scicluna (46′ Michael Johnson), Stefan Dimic, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte (65′ Lydon Micallef).
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Zak Grech, Zachary Karl Grech, Adam Bradshaw.
Coach: Jacques Scerri
Asst. Coach: Andrea Pisanu

SLIEMA Jake Galea, Michele Sansone, Antonio Stelitano, Kurt Shaw, Mark Scerri (81′ Kilian Amehi), Jose Cleangelo Pereira, Juri Cisotti (68′ Ryan Fenech), Juan Cruz Gill, Stanimir Miloskovic, Claudio Pani (61′ Edmond Agius), Jean Paul Farrugia.
Subs not used: Glenn Zammit, Alex Satariano, Jonathan Pearson, John Mintoff.
Coach: Alfonso Greco
Asst. Coach: Ivan Woods

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Darko Stankovic
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Miloskovic, Scerri, Effiong, Stelitano, Scicluna, P. Fenech, Gill, Bozovic, Shaw
BOV Player of the Match: Aleksandar Kosoric

Attendance: 488