BOV Premier League | Sliema Wanderers 2 – Balzan 1

The first chance of the match was created by Sliema on the 16th minute. Denni Rocha Dos Santos served Jean Paul Farrugia and the latter hit a shot which Christian Cassar failed to neutralise. Possession fell for Frank Temile whose shot was saved by the Balzan goalkeeper.

Sliema went ahead three minutes later. Temile passed the ball towards Farrugia who managed to put it behind Cassar. Denni went running and made sure of the goal by placing the ball inside the net.

The Wanderers doubled the score on the 34th minute. Correa Duarte’s cross was partially cleared by Cassar. Gabriel Aquilina took hold of the rebound and finished inside the net.

Balzan’s only chance in the first half was created on the 39th minute. Ryan Fenech fired a shot from distance that was parried by Giuseppe Sarao.

John Buttigieg’s side nearly increased the margin of the score on the 55th minute. Alex Muscat sent a shot from outside the penalty area that hit the post.

On the 71st minute, Cassar was on the alert as he tipped Correa Duarte’s effort for a corner.

A minute later, Sliema were dangerous again. Muscat passed the ball towards Temile who in front of Cassar failed to conclude as the Balzan shot stopper saved.

Balzan reduced the margin of the score on the 73rd minute. Matteo Picollo sent a cross that was met by Bojan Kaljevic whose header was parried by Sarao. The ball fell for Effiong who slotted the ball inside an empty net.

Balzan starting line-up: Christian Cassar, Ryan Fenech, Samir Arab Lydon Micallef, Sean Cipriott, Clive Brincat, Milos Lepovic, Alfred Effiong, Paul Lapira, Alan da Silva Souza, Elkin Serrano Valero

Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Giuseppe Sarao, Alex Muscat, Jean Paul Farrugia, Denni Rocha dos Santos, Peter Xuereb, Matias Muchardi, Stefano Bianciardi, Ricardo Correa Duarte, Marko Potezica, Gabriel Aquilina, Frank Temile

Referee: Eman Grech
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Ryan Aquilina
Fourth Official: Alex Johnson
BOV Player of the Match: Ricardo Correa Duarte (Sliema Wanderers)