Friday 5th May 2017: Balzan lost their last game of the season against Sliema Wanderers with a 1-2 result.
This match had little or no significance for both sides. Balzan, assured of their runner-up placing earlier, fielded a depleted side at the start where missing from the line-up where Bojan Kaljevic, Matteo Piciollo, Paul Fenech, Karim Nafti, Bruno Gilio De Oliveira, Steve Bezzina, Justin Grioli, Anderson De Barros and goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic. On the other hand, Sliema, in preparation for the FA Trophy semi-finals, fielded a fully-fledged formation.
The first chance of the match came to Balzan in the 5th minute when Paul Lapira’s effort finished just over the bar.
In the 16th minute, Sliema went close to open the score when Denni Rocha Dos Santos served Jean Paul Farrugia but hit a shot which was partially saved by Christian Cassar. From the rebound Frank Temile’s shot was miraculously saved by Cassar – two great saves in the space of a few seconds.
Three minutes later Sliema took the lead. Goalkeeper Christian Cassar intercepted partially a fine pass from Frank Temile which set Jean Paul Farrugia, who was in front of him, but the ball fell with DENNI DOS SANTOS who added the finishing touch before the ball crossed the line.
In the 26th minutes, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte sent in an insidious cross in the Balzan goalmouth, but a Elkin Serrano managed to clear in extremis before Jean Paul Farrugia could conclude.
In the 34th minute, Sliema doubled the score. Christian Cassar partially saved a low cross by Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte and from the rebound GABRIEL AQUILINA fired home from very close range.
In the 39th minute, Balzan were denied a goal when goalkeeper Giuseppe Sarao turn to corner in style a Ryan Fenech powerful shot from a distance.
Soon after, it was Milos Lepovic who provided Paul Lapira with a good opportunity, but the latter miss kicked the ball in front of goal.
In the second half, Balzan showed some improvement with the introduction of midfielder Paul Fenech and strikers Bojan Kaljevic and Matteo Piciollo.
In the 55th minute, Alex Muscat was unlucky not to increase the lead as his attempt stamped the crossbar.
In the 71st minute, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte brought the best out of Christian Cassar who produced an excellent save to turn his attempt to corner in style.
A minute later, Sliema were dangerous again. Alex Muscat passed the ball towards Frank Temile who in front of Christain Cassar failed to beat him.
In the 73rd minute, Balzan pulled one back when, following a good cross by Matteo Picollo, a good header by Bojan Kaljevic’s was partially saved by Giuseppe Sarao and from the rebound ALFRED EFFIONG managed to place the ball at the back of the net.
BALZAN : Christian Cassar, Ryan Fenech, Samir Arab, Lydon Micallef (46′ Matteo Piciollo), Sean Cipriott, Clive Brincat, Milos Lepovic (64′ Paul Fenech), Alfred Effiong, Paul Lapira (46′ Bojan Kaljevic), Alan da Silva Souza, Elkin Serrano Valero.
SLIEMA: Giuseppe Sarao, Alex Muscat, Jean Paul Farrugia, Denni Rocha dos Santos (59′ Ryan Spiteri), Peter Xuereb, Matias Muchardi (46′ Michele Sansone), Stefano Bianciardi, Ricardo Correa Duarte, Marko Potezica, Gabriel Aquilina, Frank Temile (78′ John Mintoff).