Sliema’s Andrea Pisanu is challenged by Edison Zarate. Photo: Paul Zammit CutajarSliema’s Andrea Pisanu is challenged by Edison Zarate. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar

Sliema Wanderers 0
Balzan 0

Sliema Wanderers and Balzan fought out a goalless stalemate yesterday.

The Wanderers created enough chances to win the game hands down but had to settle for a point after failing to convert any of their opportunities.

In light of Sliema’s tentative start to the season and Balzan’s third position in the standings, the Blues’ fans seemed far happier with the drawn outcome than Oliver Spiteri’s troops who longed for a victory after two consecutive draws.

Sliema were marginally the better side in a balanced match but Balzan came back strongly every time, putting their opponents under increasing pressure on the counter-attack.

Sliema’s initial formation showed three changes from their 4-1 victory over Mosta. Michael Mifsud, Marko Potezica and Andrea Scozzese were under starter’s order as Filippo Talato had to make do with a place on the bench, Stefano Bianciardi was injured while Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was ruled out by suspension.

Andrea Pisanu played deep in a 4-4-2 formation that became a 3-5-2, allowing John Mintoff to push on extremely high up the pitch.

Samir Arab and Luke Sciberras were restored to Balzan’s starting formation at the expense of Clive Brincat and Lydon Micallef as Oliver Spiteri made two alternations from the team that started the 1-1 draw against Pietà.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Oscar Guerrero were given freedom to roam and interchange in support of Gianmarco Piccioni in Balzan’s 4-3-3 formation.

Sliema set the early pace. The Blues fashioned their first chance after 12 minutes. Trevor Cilia’s corner eluded the Balzan defence as the ball fell invitingly to Potezica who headed tamely into the hands of Steve Sultana.

Past the half hour, Cilia made a good run through the middle before unleashing a curling effort that went just high off the right post.

As the first half wore on, the frequency of scoring chances decreased but the exchanges remained combative.

Just before half-time, Mifsud Triganza set off a dazzling run through the middle channel, leaving a posse of players in his wake as he drifted into the box before dragging his shot just wide off the far post.

The Blues tried to raise their game in the second half but their efforts seldom troubled Balzan.

But when Balzan broke on the counter just shy the hour, Sliema looked vulnerable at the back as Piccioni played in Guerrero whose shot was blocked by Glenn Zammit.

Sliema soon reclaimed the initiative. A quick move unlocked the Balzan defence as Pisanu moved the ball forward before exchanging passes with Mark Scerri and the latter’s swerving shot flew over the bar.

In 73rd minute, Sliema’s attacking qualities lit up the stadium.

Scozzese released Mifsud with an exquisite chip before the nippy striker’s shot on the turn cannoned off the crossbar. The ball landed into the path of Guy Gnabouyou whose shot was blocked by Sultana.

Balzan quickly transferred the ball to Piccioni who looked odds on to break the deadlock but Zammit was equal to the task and blocked his effort.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6, L. Martinelli-6, A. Scozzese-7, K. Gnabouyou-5.5, J. Mintoff-6, M. Scerri-7.5, M. Mifsud-6, A. Pisanu-6.5, M. Potezica-6, T. Cilia-6 (85 I. Meli), F. Mangiacasale-5 (72 F. Talato).

Balzan
S. Sultana-6, J. Grioli-5, S. Bezzina-6, E. Serrano Valero-6, E. Bilbao Zarate-6.5, O. Guobadia-5.5, S. Arab-6, L. Sciberras-6, O. Guerrero-6, J. Mifsud Triganza-6.5 (75 L. Micallef-), G. Piccioni-6.5.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow cards: Mifsud, Serrano Valero, Gnabouyou, Guobadia, Arab.

BOV player of the match: Mark Scerri (Sliema).

Attendance: 869.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.