Despite that Balzan dominated for long periods of the game, especially in the first half, they failed to claim the three valuable points after being held to a 3-3 draw by Sta Lucia.
Sta Lucia couldn’t have dreamed of a better start when they took the lead in the 7th minute. Dexter Xuereb sent a delightful cross from the right which was connected by VITO PLUT who anticipated goalkeeper Jake Galea and headed home.
Balzan reacted and in the18th minute, Uros Ljubomirac manged to beat Sta Lucia goalkeeper and tried to slot the ball into the net but Sta Lucia’s defenders managed to clear the danger on the goal line.
Balzan insisted when Milan Duric tried his luck from outside the box just to see his effort being diverted into a corner. From the consequent corner, Bojan Kaljevic’s header sailed just over the bar.
Balzan kept piling the pressure on Sta Lucia and Kaljevic tried to level terms with a thumping volley but could not hit the target.
Balzan were rewarded for their efforts in the 24th minute when a free-kick taken by Milan Duric struck the post before falling into BOJAN KALJEVIC’s feet who fired home from point-blank range.
Two minutes later, Milos Mijic came close to put Balzan ahead but his low drive was blocked by goalkeeper Julani Archibald and from the rebound Bojan Kaljevic saw his effort from inside the area finish inches wide.
Soon after Milan Duric tried to beat Sta Lucia goalkeeper with a low free-kick but could not find the target.
These missed chances from Balzan almost came back to haunt them when a Alan Souza’s effort went wide from goal.
However, Balzan managed to take the lead when, after receiving an assist from Milan Duric, MILOS MIJIC hit a powerful strike from close-range on which goalkeeper Julani Archibald could do nothing.
Before the end of the first half, Sta Lucia tried to level terms but Vito Plut’s shot could only hit the outside of the net.
On restart, Balzan resumed their superiority and came close to opening a two-goal lead through Bojan Kaljevic but his close-range header finished wide.
Moments later, goalkeeper Julani Archibald was forced into action when he kept a shot by Bojan Kaljevic at bay.
Balzan had another effort when Milos Zlatkovic had a close-range attempt going wide and another through Paul Fenech but Julani Archibald managed to halt his shot.
Despite all these chances, Balzan failed to score and Sta Lucia profited. On a 68th minute in a swift counterattack, Jan Tanti served FRANCISCO EIOMAR RODRIGUES FARIAS who capitalised on his team’s first real chance in the second half and slotted into an empty net.
Balzan managed to pull themselves together and went in front for the second time when Bojan Kaljevic served UROS LJUBOMIRAC who made his way into the box before firing past goalkeeper Julani Archibald.
Rodrigues tried to equalise once again for Sta Lucia but could not beat Jake Galea with his effort from the edge of the area. The half wore on but there was still time for another twist when Rodrigues cross was met by ALAN DA SILVA SOUZA who headed home.
STA LUCIA: Julani Archibald; Nicholas Pulis; Gianmarco Conti; Patrick Silva Mota Mota; Vito Plut; Alan Da Silva Souza; Francisco Eiomar Rodrigue faria; Victor Filho; Jamie Zerafa (Jan Tanti 66’); Dexter Xuereb; Kieran Xuereb (Liam Mckay 89’).
BALZAN: Jake Galea; Augustine Loof; Milan Djuric (Neil Frendo 72’); Paul Fenech; Uros Ljubomirac; Milos Zlatkovic; Gary Camilleri; Milos Mijic; Aleksa Andrejic (Alex Da Paixao Alves 72’); Bojan Kaljevic (Suleiman Jalu 85’); Sean Cipriott.
Referee: Daniel Portelli.
BOV Player of the Match: Bojan Kaljevic (Balzan).