St Andrews stun Balzan in exciting match

St Andrews caused an upset as they stunned Balzan, beating them 3-2 in a thrilling match at the Centenary Stadium. It was a deserved win for St Andrews as they were the better team throughout the 90 minutes.  Kevaughn Atkinson produced a brilliant performance for St Andrews, scoring a brace. After putting the Saints ahead in the 26th minute, Atkinson got the winning goal two minutes from time. Perry Nehemiah scored the other goal for St Andrews five minutes from half-time. Balzan twice came back to level. They equalised on 33 minutes with a fine header from Alfred Effiong, who met a free-kick by Ryan Fenech, and, after St Andrews had gone 2-1 up, Bojan Kaljevic made it 2-2 from a penalty. Yet, it was St Andrews who claimed the points thanks to Atkinson who dribbled past a defender, rounded Balzan goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic and fired the ball into the net. MIFSUD HITS WINNERValletta made it two wins from two matches after edging past promoted side Senglea Athletic 1-0.  The Citizens scored what proved to be the winner on 34 minutes when Joseph Zerafa fed Michael Mifsud in the box and the striker scored with an exquisite back-heel. Valletta missed a golden opportunity to double their lead early in the second half as Nikola Asceric was fouled in the box but, from the spot, the Serbian striker sent his shot wide. A fine free-kick by Argentine Santiago Malano seven minutes into the second half was brilliantly saved by Senglea goalkeeper Timmy Aquilina. FIVE-GOAL FLORIANAFloriana found no difficulty disposing of a weak Tarxien Rainbows side, winning 5-0.  A first win for the Greens following their opening-day draw with Birkirkara. Mario Fontanella opened the scoring in the 12th minute and a brace by Ignacio Varela either side of half-time – in the 42nd and 53rd minutes – extended the lead further. Ebiabowei Baker was sent off for Tarxien and the Greens took full advantage as Steve Pisani converted a penalty on 59 m inutes and Maurizio Vella made it 5-0 four minutes later. DEGABRIELE DECIDES MATCHA rasping drive by Jurgen Degabriele, 12 minutes into the second half, gave Hibernians a 1-0 narrow win over Hamrun Spartans. The Paolites thus obtained their second win and condemned Ħamrun to their first defeat.