BALZAN 5
SLIEMA WANDERERS 3
Balzan consolidated their grip on the fourth place of the premier league when they came back from two goals down to beat Sliema this afternoon.
The game had barely started when Pedrinho scored one of the quickest Premier League goals this season after 78 seconds. The Wanderers attacked straight from the kick-off and the Brazilian, bursting through from midfield, shooting home following Talato’s through pass from the left flank.
Pedrinho’s goal set the tone for the match as the Brazilian ran with far greater confidence than any of his markers from the first whistle and Steve Sultana’s goal was breached again in the 27th minute. Sliema were awarded a free-kick on the left just outside the box and Pedrinho curled his shot past Sultana.
In the 31st minute, Balzan cut the deficit when Edison Zarate Bilbao headed the ball past Zammit but Marko Potezica was on hand to hook the ball off the line. From the ensuing melee, Gianmarco Piccioni was on the receiving end of the loose ball, to poke the ball into the low corner.
The supremely-gifted Pedrinho continued to be Sliema’s chief source of inspiration after the break.
The second half was seven minutes old when Pedrinho released Bocar who embarked a powerful run down the left flank before unleashing a rasping drive that flew into the top-left corner.
The game remained lively and Balzan revived their hopes when Kaljevic powered his way into the Sliema half and his drive just outside the box had the better of Zammit who managed to get a hand to the ball but could not prevent it from crossing the line.
Drawing confidence from this positive spell, Balzan drove forward with intent and substitute Ryan Darmanin silenced the Sliema fans when he hauled his team back on level terms with a powerful header from point blank range.
The stage was set for a memorable comeback and Balzan went ahead in the 79th minute. Azzopardi’s side were living on the edge and tumbled over the precipice in the cruelest fashion possible when Kaljevic fired home with a glancing header from Zarate Bilbao’s delivery.
As the inevitability of their fate dawned on them, Sliema became ragged and Piccioni showed excellent footwork before slotting the ball in and wrap up Balzan’s victory two minutes from time.