BALZAN-3, TARXIEN RAINBOWS-2

Balzan were back to winning ways after edging Tarxien Rainbows 3-2 in an open match that produced numerous scoring chances.

Italian striker Gianmarco Piccioni converted a stoppage-time penalty to hand Balzan the three points after Tarxien had hit back from a goal down.

Tarxien could have taken the lead inside the first minute. A collision between two Balzan players left the way clear for Firas Aboulezz to advance before firing a strong drive that was tipped away by Steve Sultana. The loose ball dfropped to Jorge who was denied by the woodwork.

In their next attack, Balzan went ahead. Tarxien partially cleared a corner from the right as the ball was played into the box where defender Elkin Serrano was unmarked. His cross from the left was headed home by the returning Gianmarco Piccioni.

Balzan's opener shocked Tarxien stunned. On 11 minutes, Balzan appealed for a penalty when Edison Bilbao Zarate's shot appeared to come off defender Alessandro's hand but their protests were waved away by referee Fyodor Zammit.

Midway into the first half, Piccioni, running on to a long ball, held off Owen Bugeja but his high-riser was wide.

At the other end, Tarxien claimed a penalty when the grounded Steve Bezzina, under pressure from Triston Caruana, appeared to touch the ball with his hands but Zammit was unmoved.

Tarxien did find the net when Carlinos passed to Triston Caruana who powered past Sultana but the former Hibs midfielder was offside.

Piccioni ought to have doubled Balzan's advantage but hit wide from a good position after being freed by Guerrero. The Italian went close again on 37 minutes, firing wide after connecting with Justin Grioli's low cross from a free-kick.

Sultana, the Balzan goalkeeper, denied Tarxien an equaliser early in the second half as he blocked Carlinos's low strike after the Spaniard had been served by Jorge.

The referee caught attention once again when turning down another legitimate penalty claim after Balzan's Lydon Micallef appeared to have been hauled down by Sammut.

A rushed pass from Sultana almost gifted Wesley with a goal but the Balzan goalkeeper recovered to clear the danger.

Balzan should have added to their advantage as Guerrero's lofted pass flew towards the far post but flicked wide with the goal at his mercy.

Balzan's Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, on as a substitute, anticipated Cini but his strike was headed away by Alex Cini.

Tarxien levelled midway into the second half. Cini's cross from the right d Wesley whose rising shot brought a fine save from Sultana but Hevia was on hand to nod the ball home.

Balzan nearly regained their lead when Piccioni's intelligent ball released Guerrero who was foiled by Cini. Zarate then blasted over as the game opened up.

It was the Rainbows who took advantage of he situation as Alvaro fired them ahead with a low shot from inside the box, The non-stop action continued with Cini stopping a Mifsud Triganza attempt but Balzan levelled 11 minutes from time when Zarate, bursting through the timid Tarxien rearguard, headed the ball into an empty net after his initial attempt had been parried away by Cini.

Jorge then headed narrowly wide from Matthew Tabone's cross while Balzan's Michael Borg, a late substitute, shot just over the bar from the distance.

More drama followed as, in the last minute of stoppage time, Zammit awarded Balzan a penalty after Sammut felled the advancing Mifsud Triganza in the box. Piccioni drilled his penalty past the diving Cini.

At the end of the game, Hevia was dismissed by Zammit for kicking out at an opponent.

Zarate, the Balzan midfielder, was named BOV player of the match.