Senglea Athletic came back from two goals down to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw with Balzan. A draw which enables them to stay one point ahead of Balzan.

Although holding the initiative for long stretches and taking a two-goal lead, Balzan were to blame themselves for not winning the game. Senglea did not throw the towel and after reducing the gap through a penalty, they managed to notch the equaliser in last minute of the game.

 

Kampjonat Premier: Senglea Athletic f.c. 2-2 Balzan F.C.

Kampjonat Premier: Senglea Athletic f.c. 2-2 Balzan F.C.

Posted by L-ARGUMENT on Sunday, November 3, 2019

 

In the first half most of the play took place in midfield. As Balzan managed to score early they preferred to defend their lead. This made it difficult for Senglea to react. In fact, they failed to create a single chance on goal.

Balzan forged ahead in the 13th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte was brought down inside the area by Sigitas Olberkis and from the penalty spot, ANDRIJA MAJDEVAC made no mistake.

Senglea reacted with their best effort coming in the 25th minutes when Anderson Carneiro Do Nascimento avoided his marker but his shot finished over.

Balzan had a good chance again in the 40th minute. From a free-kick taken by Steven Pisani, a header by Augustine Loof was cleared off the line by Mirko Todorovic. The ball fell for Stefan Dimic whose effort finished off target.

In the second half, Senglea came out better and in the opening 15 minutes they managed to force Balzan in their own half. However, they still failed to test goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

However Balzan doubled the score in the 63rd minute, ANDRIJA MAJDEVAC concluded a solo effort, dribbling past a couple of defenders and finishing with a fine rising shot, which gave goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia no chance.

Four minutes later Balzan were unlucky not to increase the score. A cross from a corner by Steve Pisani stamped off the upright. However, Balzan’s players failed to make contact with the rebound.

A minute later a header by Andrija Majdevac was cleared to safety by Anderson Carneiro Do Nascimento .

in the 73rd minute, Senglea were also unlucky, as following a corner-kick taken by Leighton Grech, a header by Jose Wilkson Teixeira finished hitting the crossbar before being cleared by the Balzan defence.

In the 77th minute, Senglea pulled one back when Wilfried Zamble was fouled by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff inside the area and from the penalty spot MANOLITO MICALLEF did not fail to convert.

As Balzan tried hard to find the killer third goal, Senglea had other thoughts. They pushed forward and finally in the 90th minute they found the equalizer. Jan Tanti whipped in a cross towards the far post where, from close range, substitute JOSE WILKSON TEIXEIRA headed the ball into the net to the delight of the Senglea fans

SENGLEA : Matthew Farrugia, Sigitas Olberkis, Leighton Grech, Manolito Micallef, Taisei Marukawa (Andrei Spiteri 78′), Sean Cipriott (Jan Tanti 70′), Wilfried Zamble, Mirko Todorovic, Anderson do Nascimento Carneiro, David Xuereb (Jose Wilkson Teixeira 46′), Marcelo Dias.

BALZAN :Sean Mintoff, Augustine Loof, Aleksandar Kosoric, Steve Pisani, Steve Bezzina, Michael Johnson, Paul Fenech, Uros Ljubomirac, Stefan Dimic (Arthur Faria Machado 61′), Ricardo Calixto Correa, Andrija Majdevac (Alfred Effiong 78′).

Referee: Alan Mario Sant

BOV Player of the Match: Andrija Majdevac