BALZAN 2

Effiong 13, Fenech 90+,

TARXIEN RAINBOWS 2

Pedro 44, Nilsson 71

Paul Fenech saved Balzan’s day, keeping them unbeaten in their last ten matches as they drew 2-2 with Tarxien this evening

Fenech’s late goal was the climax to a thrilling finale in a match where in-form Balzan were heading for a first defeat after eight straight victories as they trailed by a goal netted by Alex Nilsson, 11 minutes from time. 

Balzan took just 12 minutes to take the lead. Pedrinho started the move, sending a low cross where Effiong was quick to fire the ball past Tarxien goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.

It took two fine saves from Cassar to deny Balzan from increasing their lead when the Tarxien No.1. did well to keep out Pedrinho’s free-kick and then block the ensuing rebound.

The goal failed to lift the tempo though and as the clock weighed down it seemed that Balzan were happy to go into the break 1-0 in front. However, a minute from half-time, Tarxien equalised when Pedro arrowed his free-kick into the corner of the net.

On the hour stroke, Micallef advanced on the left before whipping in a low drive which Cassar parried with difficulty. Pedrinho was also doing a good job in keeping Tarxien on their toes though as his free-kick finished just over the bar.

As the game entered its last 20 minutes, Balzan strove to augment the pressure on Tarxien but it was the latter who nosed ahead. With 11 minutes remaining, Alex Nilsson barged his way into the box before hitting a swerving shot that flew into the net giving Janjusevic no chance.

Balzan came close when Pedrinho’s freekick ended just over the bar after taking a deflection off Triston Caruana’s back. At death, Alex Alves denied an equaliser when pulling off a timely block from Micallef’s close-range shot. The game boiled over Samir Arab fouled Alves in a bid to reach the rebound and players from both team piled into a melee as both players were sent off.

But more drama followed. It was Paul Fenech who undid Tarxien as the former Birkirkara midfield beat Cassar with a cross-cum-shot. As the ball flew towards goal, Effiong dived forward to try and apply the final touch but TV replays suggested that he didn’t make contact with the ball.