BOV Premier League - Birkirkara FC 3-3 Balzan FC
by Ayrton Galea - 15th September 2019
A dramatic goal four minutes in added time by former goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski denied Birkirkara FC their first win in the BOV Premier League, as they shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw against Balzan FC.
In a highly-entertaining match, the Stripes seemed to be heading for their first victory after regaining the lead four minutes from time, but a goal by Naumovski just before the full-time whistle forced to settle for just a point.
Assistant coach, Jonathan Holland led the Stripes' from the substitutes' bench with newly-appointed coach Andre Paus was named on the substitutes' bench for the first time.
The First Half
Balzan broke the deadlock after just six minutes. Luke Montebello, on loan from Birkirkara FC to Balzan FC, struck a wonderful curling shot from the edge of the box that gave goalkeeper Andrew Hogg no chance.
The Stripes went close to equalise the score on the thirteenth minute. Falcone beat the offside trap and served Mifsud, but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski. Moments later, Mifsud's shot ended wide by inches.
Birkirkara made the score level on the thirty-seventh minute. Miguel Alba found Federico Falcone inside the box and the Argentinian striker hit a low strike past Naumovski for his first goal with the club.
The Stripes turned the score in their favour just before the half-time whistle. Miguel Alba hit a thunderous strike that surprised goalkeeper Naumovski as the ball slipped between his legs.
The Second Half
Balzan made the score level on the fifty-seventh minute. Riccardo Correa received possession outside the box and hit a long-range shot that gave Hogg no chance.
Birkirkara went close to turn the score in their favour on the seventy-fourth minute when Rocha's shot was blocked by Naumovski. From the resulting corner, Mifsud's low shot was also denied by the alert Balzan goalkeeper.
The Stripes regained the lead four minutes from time. Caio Rocha was floored inside the box by Ryan Scicluna and referee Philip Farrugia ordered the penalty. From the spot, Miguel Alba made no mistake.
When the Stripes seemed so close for their first win, Balzan made the score level. A corner kick found the unmarked Balzan goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski who headed home for a dramatic equaliser.
BIRKIRKARA: Andrew Hogg, Enrico Pepe, Maurizio Vella, Michael Mifsud, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Caio Rocha, Oscar Matias Carniello (79' Gianluca Bugeja), Miguel Alba (90' Kurt Zammit), Ryan Fenech, Isaac Ntow.
BALZAN: Kristijan Naumovski, Aleksandar Kosoric, Steven Bezzina, Michael Johnson, Paul Fenech (90+2' Lydon Micallef), Alfred Effiong (67' Andrija Majdevac), Ivan Bozovic, Ricardo Correa, Arthur Faria (78' Ryan Scicluna), Luke Montebello.
Referee Philip Farrugia.
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Thomas Debono.
Fourth Official: Andrea Sciriha.
Yellow Cards: 32' Enrico Pepe, 41' Maurizio Vella, 72' Isaac Ntow, 90' Federico Falcone (Birkirkara) 28' Alfred Effiong, 57' Riccardo Correa, 74' Paul Fenech (Balzan).
Scorers: 37' Federico Falcone, 45+1' Miguel Alba, 86' Miguel Alba (Birkirkara), 6' Luke Montebello, 57' Riccardo Correa, 90+4' Kristijan Naumovski (Balzan).
BOV Player of the Match: Riccardo Correa (Balzan).
Photo: Christine Borg.
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