Sliema W.-Birkirkara 1-3

With Valletta winning the previous match against Floriana, Sliema needed to beat Birkirkara to clinch their third consecutive title and their 26th in their history.

But Birkirkara were in buoyant mood yesterday, all out to prove their potential besides keeping up the challenge for second place. Their clearcut win demonstrated their supremacy over the leaders forcing them to keep their champagne on ice and postpone their celebrations for another day. Birkirkara thus remain the only unbeaten side in the Championship Pool.

Sliema's first defeat after 14 positive matches, now cuts their lead to five points and their remaining fixtures are against Valletta and Hibernians.

Birkirkara, with a three-pronged attack, never allowed Sliema to settle into the game. The Stripes' extra pace and more convincing passing always looked more likely to prosper.

Sliema lacked motivation, with both Turner and Giglio faring miserably in midfield and the Wanderers were only seen in flashes.

Sliema, still without Brincat, had to do also without the unfit Doncic, sitting on the bench and replaced by Anonam in attack, who proved a blunt instrument by comparison.

Birkirkara had Camenzuli back in the side after suspension and Monye made his return after a long lay off. Both Barbara and Ciantar were relegated to the bench and went in as second half substitutes.

The leaders were stunned by Birkirkara's early goal after only seven minutes play. Bonnici ran down the right flank on an Nwoko opening, and crossed low for Haruna Doda to fire a rising shot past the helpless Akanji in goal. The geometry of that goal was Birkirkara at their best.

Sliema were soon facing an uphill struggle as their opponents showed resolute defending by Sammut and Dronca at the heart of defence and great determination by Nwoko and Monye in midfield to keep Sliema scoreless for the first 45 minutes.

Although they began to have more possession, Sliema rarely looked like creating anything and they were often frustrated by Birkirkara's offside trap.

In fact the Wanderers only went close on a couple of occasions when towards the quarter hour a Pernis shot took a deflection off a Birkirkara player but keeper Darmanin pulled a save from the top drawer, tipping the ball over into a corner.

On the stroke of half time a Mattocks cross was headed by Pernis towards Woods who was denied by Dronca's timely clearance in front of goal.

But Sliema drew level five minutes after the restart. Pernis won an aerial challenge with Dronca and Sammut on the left and Ivan Woods raced in for the loose ball and beat the outstretched Darmanin with a low diagonal shot at the far post.

Sliema caught their breath but were not allowed to pull themselves into the game when conceding a 66th minute penalty after Mifsud Triganza was held by Chetcuti from near the bye-line on the left. Birkirkara's penalty taker Lucien Dronca made no mistake to restore his side's lead.

Barbara replaced Nwoko for Birkirkara and Sliema soon put in Adrian Mifsud for defender Muscat.

But Birkirkara delivered the fatal blow ten minutes from time. Barbara's pace took him clear on the left, his low drive was palmed out by keeper Akanji and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was on hand to flick the ball over the line despite Said's effort to block.

Birkirkara had the game won and well before the end they were stroking the ball around as truly deserved victors over the league leaders.

Sliema coach Aquilina was the first to admit that the best team won yesterday.

Birkirkara: S. Darmanin, M.A. Bonnici, L.Galea, P. Monye, R. Sammut (K. Scicluna), W. Camenzuli, H. Doda, C. Nwoko (E. Barbara), L. Dronca, J. P. Mifsud Triganza, G. Mallia (A. Ciantar).

Sliema W: M. Akanji, A. Muscat (A. Mifsud), B. Said, D. Debono, N. Turner, C. Mattocks (M. Mifsud), J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, O. Anonam, L. Pernis, S. Giglio

Referee: J. Attard Asst refs: P. Agius, C. Micallef 4th official: A. Casha

Scorers: H. Doda, I. Woods, L. Dronca (pen), J.P. Mifsud Triganza

Yellow cards: W. Camenzuli, M.A. Bonnici, L. Pernis

Player of the match: H. Doda (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. H. Doda 2. L. Galea 3. I. Woods