Sliema were in a class of their own against Balzan chalking another victory that puts them on a par with Hibernians at the top of the Premier League standings. Sliema were the better team with Balzan only showing flashes of good football.

From the start Sliema dominated the proceedings building a two-goal cushion by the end of the first fourty five minutes. Balzan had a good spell at the start of the second half even reducing the score, but their hopes of recovery were soon wiped out when Sliema scored the third goal.

Striker Jean Paul Farrugia continued with his good moment soring a brace and playing an important role in the Wanderers’ victory. Jean Paul Farrugia has been an asset so far this season as the Blues, ironically this season in red, are aiming high after many yeasr in the sidelines of Maltese football.

Balzan drew first blood in the game with Paul Fenech crossing towards Mc Woods who headed over the bar. Sliema however were dictating matters and their opening goal came as no surprise. A Juri Cisotti shot was partially blocked by Vranes and from the rebound Milesi was on hand to fire home.

Ten minutes later a similar action with Cisotti passing towards Comvalius who fired towards goal, Vranes again partially saved but this time the Balzan defenders managed to scramble the ball to safety.

On 30 minutes Sliema should have made it two when Satariano missed a sitter in front of goal. But the goal was in the offing and on 36 minutes Sliema doubled the score. Jean Paul Farrugia was pulled down inside the penalty area and from the resultant penalty the Farrugia made no mistake.

On the resumption Balzan went on the offensive trying to get back in the game, and on 51 minutes they managed to pull one back with a great shot from Uros Ljubomirac from the edge of the area, a shot that gave Jake Galea no chance to save.

But Sliema were back in the driving seat three minutes later when Jean Paul Farrugia shot home from close range following a series of attempts that were all blocked by Vranes.

This was practically the end of Balzan’s hopes as Sliema the match with ease as Balzan gave up hope of getting anything from the match. On the hour Sliema were unlucky not to add a fourth goal when Kisil’s effort from an acute angle finished against the upright.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina