Birkirkara recovered from an early shock to beat Msida and register their second consecutive league win.

Today they are enjoying sole leadership, but they have played a match more than their other rivals, including champions Sliema.

The Stripes had to struggle harder than expected to clinch their victory yesterday as Msida were a completely different outfit from that which lost to Mosta in their opener. In fact, the result may be considered flattering, as Birkirkara only took complete command in the final 30 minutes, that is, when Briffa gave them a 3-2 lead.

Till then, the Saints provided a very stiff challenge with Daniel Nwoke and Ibrahim Babatunde proving to be difficult to handle, even for a strong man such as Camenzuli.

When Birkirkara took command, Msida could not stop them as the whole team then started playing more confidently, also creating other opportunities which, however, went begging.

Msida’s best came in the opening 25 minutes. Not only did they take the lead, but they also created havoc in the slow-moving Stripes defence where Camenzuli, Yantchev and Scicluna struggled against the fleet-footed Nwoke.

While Birkirkara had Etienne Barbara missing through injury, Msida had to play without the suspended Roderick Bajada.

Msida threatened right from the start when Cachia was unmarked on the right flank, but his low cross was missed by Nwoke.

On 11 minutes, after a long Msida clearance, Simon rushed out to clear before Nwoke, but hit the ball badly and was lucky that the ball did not finish at the back of his net.

Msida deservedly took the lead on 15 minutes when off a good cross from Cachia, Nwoke controlled well to hit home past David Simon.

On 20 minutes, Calascione raced ahead alone on a long pass from the back, but his effort hit the upright with Borg beaten all ends up.

Soon after, a William Camenzuli freekick went wide, but the unimpressive Stripes had to wait till the 33rd minute to find an equaliser. Briffa set Bonnici on the right and the latter crossed low for George Mallia to hit home with the ball being slightly deflected by a defender’s foot.

On 43 minutes, Paul Fenech had a long distance shot stopped by David while at the other end, it was Carabott who cleared to corner a Calascione cross before Galea could connect.

Birkirkara opened strongly in the second half and quickly took the lead. From a Ciantar corner, it was Calascione who anticipated Borg to head home.

Msida replied with a Carabott 30-metre effort which went over. And on 56 minutes, William Camenzuli’s tackle on Babatunde was deemed a penalty by Mr Azzopardi and Daniel Theuma converted in style to equalise at two-all.

However, Birkirkara quickly restored their lead after just four minutes when Roderick Briffa scored with a shot from the angle which took the Msida defence by surprise.

Birkirkara added another goal on 74 minutes, when off another Adrian Ciantar corner, it was Mallia who headed the ball past Borg.

On 85 minutes, Nwoke could have pulled back a goal for Msida but his first attempt was blocked by Simon and his second went wide.

A minute later, it was 5-2 as George Mallia’s cross was powerfully headed into the net by the diving Ciantar.

At the end, the final whistle found the Stripes comfortable winners.

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Carabott, D. Theuma, S. Grima (D. Gatt), T. Farrugia (C. Sciberras), J. Mifsud, P. Fenech, D. Cachia, D. Nwoke, I. Babatunde, S. Tagliaferro (M. Valenzia).

Birkirkara: D. Simon, MA Bonnici (M. Galea), L. Galea, P. Monye (A. Zahra), W. Camenzuli, M. Calascione, R. Briffa, K. Scicluna, G. Mallia (M. Anastasi), E. Yantchev, A. Ciantar.

Referee: K. Azzopardi. Asst refs: K. Borg, E. Farrugia. 4th official: A. Casha.

Scorers: D. Nwoke, G. Mallia 2, M. Calascione, D. Theuma (pen), R. Briffa, A. Ciantar.

Yellow cards: D. Cachia, D. Carabott,

BOV Player of Match: Matthew Calascione.

TMI Top 3: 1. M. Calascione, 2. G. Mallia; 3. D. Nwoke.