Balzan 3
Mifsud Triganza 34, 60; Guerrero 90;
Birkirkara 2
Liliu 27, 42;

Oscar Guerrero’s finish deep into stoppage time earned Balzan an unexpected last-gasp win over Birkirkara who will ruefully look back at their casual approach to the match.

Balzan twice bit back to wipe out the Stripes’ lead before scoring a late winner which not only spoiled their rivals’ flawless opening to the season but also replaced them at the summit of the standings in the process.

Amid Birkirkara’s travails, it was hard to escape the feeling that they are not invincible as many have suggested, especially when confronted with a well-oiled team like Balzan whose brisk movement and tactical organisation is progressing with every game.

Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, made two changes from the 1-0 win over Naxxar Lions, Eliandro and Matheus Bissi getting the nod ahead of Leighton Grech and Alejandro Mendoza.

Balzan’s formation showed only one change with Clive Brincat preferred to Luke Sciberras. Ryan Darmanin’s match-winning goal over Qormi was enough for him to claim a place in the starting line-up.

Balzan’s early pressure receded as Birkirkara seized the lead after 27 minutes following a good opening on the left, engineered by Rafael Ledesma. The Brazilian’s cross soared towards the Balzan box and Liliu directed a dipping header past keeper Steve Sultana.

But Balzan restored parity seven minutes later. Former Birkirkara striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza unleashed a stinging shot from outside the box that goalkeeper Justin Haber appeared to have under control but let the ball slip from his grasp and squirm into the net.

The few Balzan faithful were elated but not for long.

On 39 minutes, Paul Fenech burst clear before unleashing a low drive which was smothered by Sultana. That proved to be the preamble to Birkirkara’s second.

Liliu pounced on a short clearance by Balzan, before sprinting into the box and guiding an unstoppable shot past Sultana.

Balzan’s inclination to attack down the right flank was giving Birkirkara a torrid time after the interval. On 53 minutes, Gianmarco Piccioni ran clear on the flank before floating a dangerous ball to Mifsud Triganza who failed to trouble Haber.

Lydon Micallef rifled wide at the end of another quick Balzan raid that also involved Edison Bilbao Zarate.

On the hour mark, Birkirkara surrendered their lead for the second time when Balzan levelled.

Piccioni’s initial shot appeared to ricochet off team-mate Micallef but the ball rolled to Mifsud Triganza who fired home to send Balzan into raptures.

At this point, Zammit brought on Grech and Mendoza with Bissi reverted to midfield.

Birkirkara had to wait until the 71st minute to pose danger to Balzan. The livewire Grech surged towards the area, played an exquisite one-two with Liliu which took him clear of the Balzan rearguard but Sultana turned his shot around the post.

Birkirkara thought they had sneaked a late winner when Grech’s cross flew towards the unmarked Eliandro but the latter’s volley finished well over the bar.

Balzan sensed their chance as Birkirkara suddenly lost all sense of discipline in the latter stages of the match.

Making a quick transition from defence to attack, Oscar Guerrero moved forward before unleashing a fierce drive that was partially blocked. The Colombian striker took the rebound and this time he was successful as his shot flew past Haber.

Balzan
S. Sultana-7, J. Grioli-6, S. Bezzina-6.5, E. Serrano-6, E. Bilbao Zarate-7.5, O. Guobadia-6.5, C. Brincat-6, L. Micallef-6.5 (90 M. Borg), O. Guerrero-7, J. Mifsud Triganza-7.5 (78 L. Sciberras), G. Piccioni-6.5.

Birkirkara
J. Haber-4.5, M. Bissi-5, Liliu-7, N. Vukanac-5, R. Ledesma-6 (66 A. Mendoza-4), Eliandro-5, P. Fenech-6(66 L. Grech-6), Z. Muscat-6, R. Scicluna-6, E. Herrera-5 (84 K. Zammit), R. Camenzuli-5

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Guobadia, Mifsud Triganza, Micallef, Muscat.

BOV player of the match: Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Balzan).

Standings

  P W D L F A Pts
Balzan 4 3 1 0 10 6 10
Mosta 4 3 1 0 5 1 10
Hibernians 3 3 0 0 8 2 9
Birkirkara 4 3 0 1 9 4 9
Valletta 3 1 1 1 2 1 4
Qormi 4 1 1 2 3 4 4
Floriana 4 1 1 2 4 7 4
Tarxien R. 3 0 3 0 1 1 3
Sliema W. 4 0 3 1 3 5 3
Naxxar L. 4 0 2 2 2 4 2
Pieta H. 4 0 1 3 2 6 1
Zebbug R. 3 0 0 3 2 10 0

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