Balzan came back from two goals down to hold Birzebbuga St. Peter’s in a 3-3 draw in the big match from the BOV Challenge League Top 8 at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday.
A draw which puts Andrew Cohen’s side on level points with Swieqi United, two ahead of Birzebbuga before the final match day in programme next weekend. Balzan will be facing Melita, Swieqi United take on St. Andrews while Birzebbuga meet Sirens.
Paul Lapira put Balzan ahead on 34 minutes and Duvan Mosquera doubled the score on 59 minutes. Samir Arab reduced the gap on 63 minutes but two minutes later, Paul Lapira made it 3-1 for Birzebbuga. Michael reduced the gap on 83 minutes and seven minutes in added time, Oluwatobiloba Dimeji Awosanya notched the equaliser.
In another match from the Top 8, Pieta’ Hotspurs defeated Sirens 4-3 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Hafiz Mohammed Akadom put Sirens ahead on 7 minutes but five minutes later, Arthur Stelmach equalised. The St. Paul’s Bay side regained the lead thanks to an own goal on 25 minutes but Stelmach levelled matters once again on 51 minutes and goals by Gabriel Xuereb on 52 minutes and Stelmach on 55 minutes put the Hotspurs 4-2 ahead. Thiago Nonato converted a penalty for Sirens on 73 minutes.
Balzan and Swieqi lead the way with 45 points, followed by Birzebbuga 43, Melita 38, Sirens 35, Pieta’ 34, Fgura 31 and St. Andrews 26.
In the Play-Out, Santa Lucia defeated Zurrieq 3-0 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium thanks to goals by Jean Carlos on 12 minutes, Adrian Borg just before the end of the first half and Filip Petkovski on 83 minutes.
Goals by Haruna Shodija Shola on 21 minutes and Donys Quintero six minutes in the second half handed Gudja United a 2-0 win over Mgarr United at the Centenary Stadium.
Mgarr lead with 33 points, followed by Gudja on 29, Santa Lucia 27, Zurrieq 24, Vittoriosa 21, Zebbug 19, Marsa 16 and Mtarfa -2.