Valletta-Birkirkara 0-2

Valletta: S. Sullivan, B. Nisevic, S. Pace, K. Cassar, R. Forace, M. Grima, J. Bondin, J. Ani (D. Zarb), I. Zammit, N. Chukunyere(M. Galea), S. Bezzina

Birkirkara: D. Simon, M. A. Bonnici, L. Galea, P. Monye, R. Sammut, E. Barbara(M. Anastasi), M. Galea( A. Ciantar), A. Zahra, K. Scicluna, R. Briffa, G.Mallia

Referee: L. Sammut asst refs: J. Camilleri, J. Rapa 4th official: A. Casha.

Scorers: M. Galea 2

Yellow cards: M.A. Bonnici, J. Bondin, M. Galea

Player of the match: Michael Galea (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. R. Briffa, 2. M. Galea 3. M. Grima

Birkirkara started their league commitments in the second round with a healthy win against rivals Valletta to keep up the pace with the top three in the standings.

They eagerly await today’s direct clash between the top two – Sliema and Hibernians.

The Stripes, who kept the same winning side which saw them overcome Floriana last week, took the game out of their opponents in midfield where the smart work of Roderick Briffa reaped dividends. A double strike by their best scorer, Michael Galea, one in each half, floored an opaque Valletta side, lacking inventive of genuine quality.

In fact yesterday the Citizens looked woefully short of class and conviction.

Valletta suffered without Gilbert Agius and Fenech and immediately were faced with an uphill task when they fell behind after only ten minutes play.

Briffa engineered a sweet move from midfield with a splitting pass towards the advancing Michael Galea who beat keeper Sullivan with a low diagonal drive.

The goal injected confidence in the Birkirkara side, who never allowed their opponents much sight of goal.

In fact Birkirkara remained in control for most of the first half and also threatened further.

Briffa’s cross put Mallia clear but the latter hit wide. Bonnici’s teasing cross from the right was headed over the post by Zahra and a Barbara effort was saved by keeper Sulivan.

Valletta went closest towards half-time when following a Grima sailing free-kick, Nisevic’s back-header went over the bar.

Nisevic was presented with another half chance shortly after the re-start as Ani’s effort rebounded into his path but he messed the final shot.

Birkirkara nearly doubled their lead towards the hour. Mallia’s inswinger was palmed out by Sullivan, with Barbara thumping the loose ball against the bar.

Valletta started to mount some pressure after that, forcing their opponents to retreat deeper.

Birkirkara, however, were menacing on the break. Barbara started the move on the right flank, played the ball to Galea who released Briffa, putting his final shot off target.

But there seemed to be a certain inevitability about Birkirkara’s second goal which came on 77 minutes and oncemore exposed Valletta’s tendency to leave men unmarked in threatening positions.

Barbara did all the work on the left flank, twisting and turning in front of his opponent, before sending an inviting cross for the unattended Michael Galea to finish off from the far end.

Birkirkara could have emerged even more comfortable winners by the end but an effort from ex-Valletta player Lino Galea was blocked and Barbara was foiled by Sullivan’s plucky save.