Sliema Wanderers fend off Balzan’s late rally to end winless run

BALZAN 2

Caruana 81 pen , Cacciatore 90

SLIEMA WANDERERS 3

Plut 17, 34; Magri Overend 59

BALZAN

D. Golovic, N. Kerkez (40 I. Westendorf), S. Arab, T. Caruana, J. Busuttil (62 J. Grech), B. Hili, D. Oluwatobiloba, B. Stanic, L. Lukovic (46 M. Grima), V. Blasco (62 L. Jankovic), M. Bacanin (77 G. Cacciatore).

SLIEMA WANDERERS

E. Agu, J. Borg, A. Magri Overend (71 N. Frendo), V. Plut (79 K. Nwoko), M. Priadum, M. Beerman, G. Alcino (79 S. Kone), Wescley, S. Zibo (71 T. Kikabidze), S. Pisani (71 E. Aguis), M. Awad.

Referee: Glen Tonna

Yellow card: Jankovic,

Sliema Wanderers put their recent poor spell behind them as they ended a four-game losing streak when defeating Balzan.

Sliema coach Paul Zammit went into the Balzan match under pressure.  Three consecutive defeats in the Premier League and their elimination from the FA Trophy in midweek, has put pressure on the Sliema clan.

It was a hard-fought win for Sliema. The Blues seemed to race away with the match, taking a 3-0 lead. 

But with Balzan seemingly beaten, Triston Caruana’s penalty gave his side a lifeline as substitute Gianluca Cacciatore conjured up a frantic finale to the match.

Sliema Wanderers were the quicker to find their stride when Vito Plut hit the ball straight at Danilo Golovic.

It took Sliema 17 minutes to turn their superiority into a clear-cut chance with Mohamed Awad getting in a cross for Plut who hit a low drive home.

Having taken the lead, Sliema looked to build on their early advantage and proceeded to dominate the opening exchanges.

Despite Sliema’s superiority, Balzan did have chances to restore parity. Marko Bacanin hit a diagonal shot which finished wide off the far post.

On 34 minutes, Steven Pisani set Plut up for a second when he whipped in a superb cross for Sliema’s number nine to plant a trademark header past Golovic.

Sliema resumed normal service straight after the interval as Maksym Priadum’s trickery helped him get past Marcus Grima, only to hit a fierce shot straight at Golovic.

On 52 minutes, Plut latched onto Awad’s cross and hit a first-time volley which finished just over the bar.

The game looked as good as over, shy the hour mark when Adam Magri Overend made it 3-0.

The lively Priadun was allowed to twist and turn, before pulling the trigger.

The Balzan goalkeeper Golovic managed to get a hand to the ball, but he pushed it towards Plut who squared the ball for Magri Overend to prod the ball home.

Nine minutes from time, Sliema conceded a penalty when Dimeji Oluwatobiloba was fouled by substitute Tedo Kikabidze inside the area. From the ensuing spot kick, Triston Caruana sent Kelvin Emeka the wrong way.

But Balzan kept the initiative as substitute Gianluca Cacciatore lashed a cross by Benjamin Hili past Agu to make it 3-2.

It was a case of too little too late as time ran out for Andrew Cohen’s side.