Balzan Y 3

Sliema W 3

A last gasp goal by Nikola Bogdanovic managed to secure a thrilling point for Sliema against Balzan Youths in a see saw encounter which saw six goals and two sending offs.

Sliema Wanderers were all out to return to winning ways as they took on Balzan Youths after losing to joint-leaders Hibernians in their last outing. A win which would put the Blues in fourth place together with Floriana. Mark Scerri and Trevor Cilia were after missing the last game but Ryan Grech was suspended.

Balzan disappointed last week when they suffered a heavy 7-2 defeat to Valletta. They lost three out of the last five matches but against Sliema, they hope to repeat their first phase performances when they held them in a draw in the first round and defeated them in the second. Matthew Camilleri and Anthony Eviparker are suspended while Bledjon Guga and Nikola Tasic have been released by the club.

Sliema started well and on 4 minutes could have taken the lead after a corner by Lattes found Galabov who concluded close to Tabone with the Balzan custodian saving for another corner. Sliema continued pressing forward and creating opportunities as Balzan appeared content to defend.

On 25 minutes Frendo found Anicet but the lanky striker saw his effort saved by Bonello. On 38 minutes, Sliema ended up with ten men when Anicef was given his marching orders for an off the ball foul on Francica.

Balzan took the lead on 43 minutes when a free kick by Pedrinho was parried by Bonello with Forace on hand to tap the ball into the net.

The second half saw Sliema bring on Trevor Cilea and Nikola Bogdanovic to add more thrust and impetus to the attack. On 50 minutes a free kick by Ryan Fenech ended up deflected for a corner as Balzan were resorting to breakaways with Sliema pressing forward.

Bogdanovic let fly a fine dipping shot on 51 minutes which appeared to have been fisted away by Taboen but no corner was given. Sliema made their task even more difficult on 57 minutes when Mark Scerri was given his marching orders for a second yellow card with the Blues ending up with nine players.

Incredibly Sliema managed to equalize on 60 minutes when a shot by Nikola Bogdanovic was parried by Debono but from the rebound, Cilia managed to fool the keeper with a low shot.

Balzan reacted immediately when Grima was alone after having eluded the Balzan defence but Bonello managed to block the striker’s effort. And on 68 minutes, the Youths retook the lead after Lydon Micallef eluded the offside trap and squared to Pedrinho who slotted home past a hapless Bonello.

Sliema almost made it 2-2 seconds later when Cilia tried his luck from afar but Debono parried for a corner. On 75 minutes, Micallef was alone in the box but his shot ended up well wide.

Sliema managed to equalize on 84 minutes when Lattes converted a penalty after Anji had been felled in the box by Pace.

But Balzan managed to pip it on 86 minutes after Pedrinho managed to elude a few defenders and drilled a low shot past Bonello for what appeared to be the three points.

However Sliema managed to equalize in the dying seconds with a fine conclusion by Nikola Bogdanovic to ensure a much deserved point.

Balzan Youths F Tabone, Y Camilleri, C Ciantar, D Grima (G Bonello), J Francica, R Forace, J Pace, P Dos Santos, M Deanov, B Bondin (L Micallef), M Ciantar (S Ciscaldi)

Sliema Wanderers H Bonello, E Anicet, D Mitev (N Bogdanovic), S Bezzina, C Gatt Baldacchino, R Fenech, A Caligari (T Cilea), R Galabov, C Frendo (J Anji), E Lattes, M Scerri

Referee Chris Lautier

Scorers Forace R 42’, Cilia 60’, Pedrinho 67’, 86’ Lattes 84’ (pen), N Bogdanovic 90’

Yellow cards Pedrinho, M Ciantar, M Scerri, Debono, Galabov, Francica, Pace

Red Card Anicef, Scerri

BOV Player of the Match Pedrinho (Balzan)

TMI Top 3 Pedrinho, Cilia, Bogdanovic