Birkirkara 4
Naxxar L. 0
Birkirkara: I. Akpan, C. Attard, N. Vukanac, M. Latini Mazzetti, R. Camenzuli, M. Emerson, G. Sciberras (E. Agius), P. Fenech (K. Zammit), F. Temile (Q. Barroso), F. Miccoli, V. Plut.
Naxxar L.: J. Azzopardi, A. Scicluna, L. Lodetti, R. Cardozo (D. Bonnici), D. Falzon, ZM Gnenegbe, J. Debono (A. Mandinha), I. Grech, D. Fenech, A. Buhagiar (M. Del Negro), E. Lattes.
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann.
Asst refs: R. Vella, S. Attard.
Add. Asst. refs: M. Borg, E. Azzopardi.
4th official: P. Apap.
Scorers: F. Miccoli, V. Plut, G. Sciberras, P. Fenech.
Yellow cards: L. Lodetti, A. Buhagiar, A. Mandinha, D. Falzon
Player of the match: V. Plut
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Emerson, 2. V. Plut, 3. P. Fenech.
Henry Brincat
Birkirkara notched their first three points of the season with a comfortable victory over a Naxxar side which will have to fight harder to retain its status this season.
The match seemed to be more like a training session for Birkirkara as they dominated possession for long periods, despite having some big names missing from their line-up.
Coach Giovanni Tedesco started the match with Justin Haber and Joe Zerafa on the substitutes’ bench, while the two Muscats – Rowen and Zach - were ruled out, the former through injury and the latter not included in the squad. Also missing once again was another national team player, Edward Herrera, as well as Edin Murga.
Making a welcome return to the Birkirkara side after a long term injury was skipper Gareth Sciberras. He crowned a very positive performance with a goal. Also, making his debut for the side was recently signed Cain Attard, who took Zach Muscat’s place on the right flank.
On the other hand, Naxxar debutant coach Stefano Grima had an almost full squad at his disposal with the exception of Ossou Sidoine whose clearance did not arrive in time.
But, as was otherwise expected, they were no match for a much stronger side. In the first half alone, they rarely, if ever, advanced more than three quarters of the field of play and never managed one single decent shot at goal.
The match had no real story. The Stripes dominated from the very first whistle, taking command of midfield and launching one attack after the other as Naxxar never looked capable of offering any decent resistance. So superior were the Stripes that despite the fact that they did not exert themselves too much, they still made sure of the three points in the first half when they led 3-0, taking the lead through the now usual Fabrizio Miccoli.
The Lions did not match the likes of Sciberras, Fenech and Marcelina in midfield and so the Stripes could plan their moves upfield from both flanks through Attard and Camenzuli.
Birkirkara went close on the eighth minute when from a Paul Fenech cross, Gareth Sciberras’s header was palmed out with difficulty by goalie Azzopardi.
The Stripes opened the scoring on the 11th minute. Plut overcame his direct opponent on the left flank, advanced and crossed low into the area where Miccoli controlled well before firing home for his first league goal.
Two minutes later, it was 2-0. Gnenegbe passed to the goalie who fumbled his clearance as the ball hit Vito Plut and finished at the back of the net.
On 24 minutes, a Miccoli lob was again just palmed out by Azzopardi. Ten minutes later, it was Temile who advanced to the edge of the area, only to hit well wide.
As the Stripes continued with their absolute domination, it was Paul Fenech who went close with a fine rising shot from 20 metres which just missed the target.
The third goal arrived in the 43rd minute. From a Cain Attard cross, a Miccoli shot was blocked by a defender, but the ball ran kindly to Gareth Sciberras who hit home from close in.
The match followed the same pattern in the second half and in the 66th minute, the Stripes almost added a fourth. From a Plut low cross, Miccoli saw his effort hitting the crossbar. The rebound went to Agius whose shot was blocked by a Naxxar defender.
Birkirkara never stopped trying and in the 73rd minute, they added a fourth when off a long Agius cross, Fenech controlled well to hit home from close in.
Naxxar’s first attempt at the Birkirkara goal arrived in the 85th minute, but Akpan dealt with Daren Falzon’s effort confidently.
Before the end, Azzopardi twice saved the Lions fort, effecting good saves on Miccoli efforts.
In added time, Naxxar tried again, but Akpan saved Falzon’s freekick.
St Andrews 0
Valletta 3
St Andrews: D. Rossetto, N. Ghio, J. Williams, D. Camilleri, M. Sehitaj, N. Andreis (J. Walker 72’), N. Vella Petroni (W. Moodley 65’), M. Guillaumier, L. Cosmai (M. Desira Buttigieg 77’), J. Farrugia, C. De Nguidjol
Valletta: H. Bonello, R. Briffa, J. Caruana, C. Pani, J. Cruz Gill, I. Azzopardi, R. Romau, N. Priso (F. Falcone 74’), J.P. Mifsud Triganza (A. Nafti 64’), L. Cremona, J. Benites (S. Bajada 80’)
Yellow Cards: N. Priso 60’, I. Azzopardi (V)
Scorers: N. Priso 45’, 67’, F. Falcone 90’ (V)
Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Martin Borg
Additional Assistant Referees: Alan Mario Sant, Adrian Azzopardi
BOV Player of the match: Njongo Priso (Valletta)
Attendance: 1057
Stewart Said
Valletta started the season on a much desired happy note as they defeated the newly promoted side St.Andrews 3-0. The citizens dominated the game but found a very organised side that made Valletta’s life more difficult that some could expect and two penalties put Valletta in a deserved lead.
Valletta made numerous changes from last season as Henry Bonello, Claudio Pani, Juan Cruz Gill, Romeu Romao, Njongo Priso and Jhonnattann Benites all were newcomers and made their official debut alongside Federico Falcone who entered during the game.
St. Andrews’s response came on the 10th minute with a diagnonal shot by De Nguidjol that hit the side netting.
Valletta continued to attack, but St. Andrews were defending bravely and they managed to struck a chance on the 33rd minute with another shot by Cremona that finished wide. Four minutes later Priso passed to Benites but his effort finished off target.
Paul Zammit’s side took the lead just before the end of the first half when from a cross by Romau, Nick Ghio fouled Jhonnattann Benites in the penalty area and referee Mario Apap ordered a penalty. From the penalty spot Njongo Priso converted.
Valletta continued on the attack in the second half and on the 49th minute Briffa passed to Mifsud Triganza who advanced but his final shot was saved by Rossetti. Eight minutes later Briffa again served Mifsud Trgianza this time in a more ideal position but the striker’s shot finished over the bar.
A minute later St.Andrews went close to equalise from a cross by Jordan Williams, the header by De Nguidjol was tipped to a corner by Bonello.
Valletta doubled on the 67th minute when Williams fouled Roderick Briffa in the penalty area and from the 11 metre spot Njongo Priso scored his second penalty.
Two minutes later Benites tried with a shot from a diagonal position but Rossetto was ready to tip into a corner.
Cremona went close on the 76th minute with a personal action but his personal action that finished over the bar.
Valletta scored the third goal on the 90th minute when Romeu crossed to the substitute Nafti who headed to the other substitute Federico Falcone who scored with another header from close range.
The Argentinian substitute went close to another goal but his low shot was saved by Rossetto.
Qormi 1
Pembroke 2
Qormi: M. Farrugia, A. Cassar, B. Berntsson, N. Ojuola, J. Bondin, S. Agius, C. Gauci, C. Monti, J. Chetcuti, R. Micallef, L. Grech (P. Viggiani 79’)
Pembroke: M. Muscat, Z. Levnaic, A. Cini, O. Bugeja, L. Cutajar, P. Barbetti (P.P. Sammut 86’), G. Villalobos, K. O’Brien, G. Bardsley, A. Martz, G. Ferri (S. Arab 76’)
Yellow Cards: P. Bardsley 20’, Z. Levnaic 49’, P. Barbetti 53’ (P)
Scorers: G. Villalobos 13’, 71’ (P), C. Gauci 49’ (Q)
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Peter Abela
BOV Player of the match: Gustavo Villalobos (Pembroke Athleta)
Stewart Said
Newcomers Pembroke Athleta started their first campaign in the BOV Premier League with a brilliant 2-1 win against Qormi. Surely the hero for Pembroke was ex-player Gustavo Villalobos who inspired his team with a brace. Qormi were in the news this week on the negative side as they declared that they would let their players leave if a club comes in the light of their financial difficulties which affected their preparation ahead of their first game. Despite the turbulent preparation and their opponents’s superiority, Qormi with a bit of attention could have come out with a draw.
Pembroke’s team is completely different from the team that won the promotion as veteran Mario Muscat started defending the posts while the attack was composed by Gibson Bardsley supported by Martz, Ferri and Villalobos. Qormi’s team almost stayed the same as last season as Carlo Monti and defender Noah Ojuola made their debut.
Pembroke took the lead on their first action on the 13th minute when Giacomo Ferri crossed from the right to Gustavo Villalobos who managed to head past Matthew Farrugia. Qormi’s reaction came on the 22nd minute with a free-kick from distance by Carlo Monti that finished over the bar.
Winston Muscat’s team went close to double on the 47th minute when Ferri crossed to Bardsley who passed back to Martx but his final shot finished off target.
Pembroke paid dues for this action as Qormi managed to equalise on the 49th minute when from a Carlo Monti free-kick, the defence failed to clear, the ball finished in Clifford Gauci’s feet who place a good shot in the right corner.
Pembroke went close on the 64th minute when Austin Martz tried with an effort from outside the box but Matthew Farrugia tipped into a corner.
Winston Muscat’s team went again in front on the 71st minute when from a free-kick by Martz, Matthew Farrugia didn’t handle the shot and Gustavo Villalobos made the easy job to slot in an empty net.
Qormi didn’t make a reaction and it was Pembroke who continued to attack on the 87th minute when Martz passed to the substitute Peter Paul Sammut but his show finished centimetres wide. Pembroke’s last action came on the 94th minute when Bardsley passed to Martz who dribbled past an opponent but his shot was cleared by the Qormi defence.
Sliema W 0
Tarxien R 2
Sliema W.: G. Zammit, A. Muscat, C. Gatt Baldacchino, R. Dalli, M. Potezica (J. Mintoff), M. Sansone, P. Xuereb (E. Elezaj), K. Hendry (R. Ledesma), G. Muir, S. Bianciardi, L. Dimech.
Tarxien R.: A. Cassar, M. Caruana, B. Giglio de Oliveira, T. Tabone Desira, T. Caruana (R. Bajada), D. Meira Santos (AR da Silva), C. Hevia Menendez, D. Zerafa, A. da Paixao Alves (A. Azzopardi), M. Tabone, JP Oliveira Santos.
Referee: P. Farrugia.
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, D. Castillo.
4th official: C. Pisani.
Scorers: A. Azzopardi pen., C. Hevia Menendez
Yellow cards: A. Muscat, P. Xuereb, C. Hevia Menendez,
Red card: G. Zammit
Player of the match: C. Hevia Menendez.
TMI Top 3: 1. C. Hevia Menendez, 2. L. Dimech, 3. B. de Oliveira
Attendance: 881
Henry Brincat
Two second half goals enabled Tarxien Rainbows to gun down a disappointing Sliema side yesterday evening.
The Rainbows worked hard for their win and at the end, they deserved the verdict.
As for Sliema, it was a very disappointing start to this season’s campaign. And they will have to improve considerably if they are to make an impact in this season’s campaign.
Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi had to field a depleted side with new signing Rafael Ledesma on the substitutes bench, Michael Mifsud ruled out through injury, Mark Scerri and Aidan Friggieri both suspended. Another of last season’s regulars, John Mintoff, also started on the substitutes’ bench.
On their part, Tarxien coach Jacques Scerri could field his typical formation.
The match failed to reach the desired level, especially in the first half which was boring for most of the time.
Neither side failed to take control as there were only a few actions in front of goal worth noting. Most of the play resulted in midfield with erratic passing being the order of the day.
Tarxien, perhaps, enjoyed more possession but they lost much of their fire power when they lost Alex da Paixao Alves through injury midway through. Until then he was certainly the best player on the field of play and gave the Sliema defence some anxious moments when he had the ball at his feet.
Sliema left a lot to be desired. Suffice to say that their best player was veteran defender Luke Dimech who never stopped, also giving a helping hand to his midfielders.
Sliema started the second half like a house on fire, but Tarxien defended well. But after missing a great opportunity, they were punished by the Rainbows who took the lead through an Azzopardi penalty goal and then they went on to assure themselves of the three points with a second goal.
The match had a quiet start as both teams sized each other up. But in the 17th minute, Tarxien goalie Cassar had to turn to corner with some difficulty a dangerous Gary Muir freekick.
On the 23rd minute, Tarxien were awarded a freekick, but Oliveira’s shot was blocked to a corner by the Sliema ‘wall’.
Six minutes later, at the other end, from a Ryan Dalli cornerkick, a melee ensued in front of the Tarxien goal, but Sansone lifted the ball well over the bar.
Tarxien had the best chance in the 38th minute, when Ayrton Azzopardi set Danilo Meira Santos in the Sliema area, but goalie Glenn Zammit rushed out to block to corner.
Seven minutes into the second half, Dimech set Muir on the right flank, but the latter’s cross was well saved by goalie Cassar. Soon after, Cassar also saved a Hendry grounder.
Again it was Sliema who threatened in the 54th minute. A low Muir dangerous cross was cleared to corner in extremis by De Oliveira. From Muir’s cornerkick, a Potezica header just missed the target.
Sliema had a great opportunity to break the deadlock on 62 minutes. From a Muir cross, the ball went to the unmarked Hendry who missed the target from just two metres.
But it was the Rainbows who went closest to scoring in the 69th minute – a hard grounder by Triston Caruana being saved on deck by the diving Zammit.
Tarxien took the lead in the 73rd minute. Hevia Menendez was through in the Sliema area, but goalie Zammit floored him. The official did not hesitate to point to the dreaded spot apart from showing a red card to the Sliema goalie. From the spot kick, Ayrton Azzopardi scored in style to put the Rainbows ahead.
Tarxien took full advantage of their numerical superiority as they added a second goal on the 83rd minute when off an Azzopardi cross, it was Hevia Menendez who beat Zammit with a neat header.
In added time, the Rainbows almost scored a third, but an Azzopardi shot just missed the target.