This was Sliema’s sixth win of the season as they continued their impressive run moving into third position on 19 points.

On the other side, Balzan remain on 13 points as they suffered their fifth loss of this campaign.

In the 4th minute, following an erratic clearance by Balzan rear-guard, SAMUEL GOMES DA MATA received the ball and scored the all-important goal with a fine curved shot beating goalkeeper Danilo Golovic.

In the 19th minute, Balzan reacted when Oluwatobiloba Dimeji Awosanya stole the ball in midfield and served well Ryohei Michibuchi whose shot from the left finished just high over the cross bar.

In the 41st minute, in a fast counter attack, Samuel Gomes Da Mata set Christ Dames Denis Kouao from the left, with the ball eventually being cleared by the Balzan defenders.

In the second half, Sliema took control of the game with the intention of preserving their goal advantage, with Balzan failing to produce any threat to their goalkeeper.

In the 65th minute, in another fast break from the left by Sliema, Christ Dames Denis Kouao saw his shot finish over the crossbar of Danilo Golovic.

Sliema managed to keep the advantage up to the final whistle, taking home the important three points.

SLIEMA WANDERERS: Rashed Al Tumi, Jean Borg, Vito Plut ( Lydon Micallef 92’), Myles Beerman, Gustavo Alcino, Edmond Agius (Mark Scerri 76′), Christ Damsen Denis Kouao, Neil Frendo, Joachim Adukor, Geoffrey Edwin Acheampong (Mohamed Abdulahi Awad 83′), Samuel Gomes Da Mata (Joseph Marie Minala 76′)

BALZAN: Danilo Golovic, Ivan Bozovic (Nikola Zerjal 46′), Andre’ Prates, Samir Arab (Benjamin Hili 83′), Marcus Grima (Jake Grech 58′), Paul Fenech, Oluwatobiloba Dimeji Awosanya (Peter Ukeme Olawale 58′), Rohei Michibuchi, Aleksandar Katanic, Momcilo Raso, Aleksa Andrejic (Nikola Braunovic 69′)

Referee: Glen Tonna

BOV Best Player of the game: Gustavo Alcino (Sliema W.)