Birkirkara 3
Pieta H. 0
Birkirkara FC: K. Naumovski, D. Chapoval, M. Guillaumier, M. Andelkovic, M. Vella (C. Failla 77') , L. Montebello (Jorginho 53') , K. Zammit, E. Ferreira, M. Mifsud (J.Grech 70'), J. Bezzina, C. Attard
Pieta H. FC: N. Vella, C. Degabriele (H. Singh 80') , N. Pace Cocks (T. Bartolo 40') , D. Agius (S.Pisani 72') , P. Chimezie, J. Busuttil, G. Mensah, J. Artiaga, C. Grech, U. Calistus, A. Macedo
Referee: Mario Apap
Asst refs: Alan Camilleri, Thomas Debono
4th official: Andrea Sciriha
Scorers: M. Guillaumier 25', Jorginho 66', D. Chapoval 82'
Yellow cards: U. Calistus, M. Vella
Player of the match: M. Guillaumier (Birkirkara)
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Vella 2. J. Bezzina 3. M. Mifsud
Birkirkara gained their first win under the guidance of John Arne Riise when they beat lowly Pieta in the first match played at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
The Stripes were worthy winners in a match in which they dominated possession for long stretches though Pieta also had their good moments especially in the first part of the second period. This win is a morale booster for Birkirkara after a rather fifteen busy days of transfer activity.
Birkirkara were coming from a goalless draw against Balzan with Pieta succumbing to four consecutive defeats, the most recent being a 2-0 defeat against Hibernians.
Uchenna Calistus was making his debut for Pieta against his ex-team but their latest recruit Radovanovic was not included in the squad. Birkirkara had Terence Agius and Jalo missing through suspension with Johann Bezzina playing his first match for the Stripes.
In the first round Birkirkara emerged winners by a 2-1 score.
The first goal mouth action came in the 7th minute when a Mifsud cross shot was partially saved by Vella the ball fell into Montebello's path but his shot hit the crossbar.
The Stripes drew first blood in the 25th minute. Maurizio Vella passed towards Matthew Guillaumier who after rounding an opponent placed the ball in the corner of the net.
Pieta's reaction was an immediate one and in the 28th minute a Jan Busuttil shot was saved by Naumovski. The Birkirkara goalkeeper was once again in the thick of action a minute later when he saved on Mensah.
Seven minutes from the end of the first half Mifsud made his way on the right flank and into the box, his cross met by Montebello whose shot was deflected into a corner.
On the change of ends Pieta started strongly and from the kick off Mensah tried his luck with a long range shot which Naumovski saved with some difficulty. Just past the hour the Hotspurs went near when Chimezie set Calistus with his fierce drive ending inches wide.
But it was Birkirkara who doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Vella on the edge of the area passed backwards towards Bezzina who immediately released Joringho and the latter from just inside the area placed the ball past a helpless Vella.
Pieta tried to get back into the match but were now finding it rather difficult to mount a reaction with their opponents controlling the proceedings. Thirteen minutes from the end of the match Riise gave Clayton Failla his debut when he came on instead of Maurizio Vella.
And Birkirkara rounded off their win with their third goal eight minutes from the end when off a Failla corner Danilo Chapoval rose high above everyone and headed into the corner of the net. This goal sealed a comfortable win for Birkirkara who registered their fourth win from their last five matches.