BOV Premier League | Balzan 2 – Tarxien Rainbows 2

Balzan lost another two important points as they were held to a 2-2 by Tarxien Rainbows.

Samir Arab of Balzan challenging Claudio Daniel Francis for the ball. Photo: Dominic Borg
Samir Arab of Balzan challenging Claudio Daniel Francis for the ball. Photo: Dominic Borg

Tarxien forged ahead on the 11th minute. Triston Caruana sent an excellent through ball towards Alex Nilsson who controlled the ball and finished past Christian Cassar.

On the 38th minute, Bruno Gilio De Oliveira of Balzan fired a shot from a free kick that was neutralised by Andrea Cassar.

Two minutes later, the Tarxien goalkeeper was on the alert once more to save Alfred Effiong’s low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The Rainbows doubled the score five minutes into the second half when Alex Nilsson received the ball inside the penalty area and finished past Cassar once more.

Balzan reduced the margin of the score on the 54th minute. Following a cross, the Tarxien defence failed to completely clear their marks. The ball fell for Alan Da Silva Souza who hit a low shot that ended up inside the net.

On the 75th minute, Balzan had another good opportunity when Effiong won the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired a low shot that went slightly wide.

Balzan’s hopes of an equaliser took a setback on the 81st minute when Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero received his second yellow card for dissent.

On the 90th minute, Paul Fenech received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and hit a shot that ended up slightly over.

Balzan equalised in the additional time given by the referee. From a free kick, Abdelkarim Nafti fired a stunning shot that ended up in the back of the net.

Balzan starting line-up: Christian Cassar, Paul Fenech, Samir Arab, Bojan Kaljevic, Bruno Gilio De Oliveira, Steve Bezzina, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Alfred Effiong, Dylan Grima, Matteo Piciollo, Alan Da Silva Souza.

Tarxien Rainbows starting line-up: Andrea Cassar, Ebiabowei Baker, Triston Caruana, Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia, Alex Nilsson, Emerson Marcellina, Sergio Fernandez Prendes, Daniel Zerafa, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Sacha Borg, Claudio Daniel Frances.

Referee: Stefan Pace

Assistant referees: Duncan Sultana, Thomas Debono

Fourth official: Clayton Pisani

BOV player of the match: Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia (Tarxien)