After a month-long break, Birkirkara confirmed that they have lost none of their credentials which make them firm title contenders. A solid display of sharp and incisive football enabled them to crush Msida’s weak challenge, the latter missing two key players like Paul Fenech and Josef Mifsud through suspension.

But that is not excuse for the Saints’ poor performance, as they were outmuscled and outplayed by far superior opponents in all departments.

The match was as good as over by the first half when Birkirkara translated their sheer dominance into four goals, two of which by the first quarter hour, and another two just before the break, from which Msida never recovered. The win highlighted the gulf between the two sides and leaves Birkirkara firmly in command of the league standings.

Msida’s naïve defence was repeatedly ripped apart by the exciting attacks of Barbara and Michael Galea, ably supported by Mallia, Briffa and Ciantar. Birkirkara won easily because they were as organized a side as anyone would expect and their strength in depth is such that they had players like Lino Galea, Calascione, Holland, Mifsud Triganza and Scicluna on the bench.

Birkirkara’s explosive start to the match brought them a first goal after only six minutes. Michael Galea, who had chased a long ball forward and beaten Msida’s square defence, made the best of keeper Borg’s erratic clearance when rushing out of his line to clear, the ball rebounding off Galea’s body into an unattended goal.

On the quarter hour Birkirkara were two up. Msida’s defence failed to clear a Ciantar corner from the right and Etienne Barbara, standing inside the goal area, beat Borg with a clinical strike on the turn.

Midway through the half, Msida were forced to substitute Babatunde, who was hit in the face and could not continue playing. As Birkirkara poured on the embarrassment, Briffa mishit Mallia’s cross from the left and Ciantar’s rising shot missed the target.

With a leaky defence in front of him, goalkeeper Borg conceded two more goals in as many minutes, before halftime.

Briffa played a through ball to Galea on the right, sending a low cross from near the byeline for Adrian Ciantar to toe-poke in.

Then Camenzuli’s drive was palmed out by Borg for Michael Galea to finish off the loose ball.

Msida were lucky in added time, when Barbara stooped low to head Ciantar’s teasing cross, the ball rebounding off the upright.

The second half was played with training-like easiness. Birkirkara took off Yanchev and later Barbara as Galea suffered a slight injury and was also substituted for precautionary measures. Although the niceties of a scintillating first half from Birkirkara were long forgotten, they remained the more dominant team as Msida looked more than resigned to defeat.

On the hour, Briffa put Monye through but his low cross was intercepted by Theuma before any Birkirkara player could connect.

Roderick Briffa’s goal, an exquisite long range shot which left reserve keeper Bartolo rooted to his line ten minutes from time, was the perfect reward for an impressive display of energy and commitment from this youngster.

And to sum up Msida’s misery, a Zongo penalty in added time, was saved by Simon, after the same Birkirkara keeper had fouled Farrugia inside the area.

* * *

Birkirkara: D. Simon, M.A. Bonnici, P. Monye, R. Sammut, W. Camenzuli, E. Barbara (M. Calascione), M. Galea (J. P. Mifsud Triganza), R. Briffa, G. Mallia, E. Yanchev (J. Holland), A. Ciantar

Msida SJ: O. Borg (M. Bartolo), D. Theuma, S. Grima, C. Micallef (D. Gatt), T. Farrugia, C. Sciberras, D. Cachia, L. Micallef, I. Babatunde (S. Tagliaferro), D. Nwoke, O. Zongo

Referee: A. Casha Asst refs: P. Agius, J. Rapa 4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: M. Galea 2, E. Barbara, A. Ciantar, R. Briffa

Yellow cards: D. Theuma

Player of the match: Adrian Ciantar (Birkirkara)

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