Tarxien R. 0
Birkirkara 2
Tarxien R.: M. Buhagiar, J. Gill, D. Zerafa, G. Aquilina, D. Falzon, S. Arab (M. Paolucci 75), D. Mambouana, A. De Barros (M. Spiteri 87), R. Faria, A. Nilsson, J. De Paixao
Birkirkara: K. Naumovski, M. Guillaumier (M. Andelkovic 57), L. Montebello, J. Bezzina, K. Zammit, E. Ferreira, N. Vukanac, C. Attard, T. Agius (P. Mbong 80), M. De Siqueira
T. De Souza (M. Mifsud 71)
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst refs: D. Petrovic, I. Galea
4th official: S. Pace
Scorers: N. Vukanac 50, L. Montebello 88
Yellow cards: R. Faria 50, D. Mambouana 55, J. De Paixao 77, D. Zerafa 87
Red card: J. De Paixao 79
BOV Player of the Match: J. Bezzina
TMI Top 3: 1. J. Bezzina, 2. N. Vukanac, 3. A. De Barros
Defender Nikola Vukanac and striker Luke Montebello scored in the second half to give Birkirkara another three points in their push towards a 3rd or 4th placing in the standings.
The victory has lifted the Stripes to the 36-point mark, just two points behind 3rd placed Gzira who will be in action today against Senglea.
Apart from the goal scorers, Birkirkara also had Johan Bezzina to thank following a splendid performance, perhaps the best since joining the Stripes in the January transfer market.
On the other hand, Tarxien remain in perilous waters on 19 points, just two ahead of Senglea who are third from bottom on 17 points.
Birkirkara had more possession but little to show at the end of the first half.
Despite their continuous domination, especially in midfield, it was evident that they were struggling to get past a solid and well organised Tarxien defence.
The Rainbows' intentions were obvious - controlling at the back and operating in counter-attacks, but they also found it particularly hard to penetrate the Stripes defence and goalkeeper Nuamovski had a very quiet opening 45 minutes.
In the second half, the Stripes took the lead early and from then on, they played with much more confidence until Tarxien finally awoke to their responsibilities and also created two good chances which they, however, missed.
Had they scored one of them, it could have been another story, but soon after missing the second chance, they were reduced to 10 men as De Paixao was dismissed following a second yellow card.
Tarxien then lost much of their power and the Stripes could coast home to their second consecutive victory.
The first action arrived on 4 minutes when off a De Souza cross, the ball was not cleared well by the Tarxien defence and Luke Montebello's semi rovesciata was pushed away from goal by goalie Buhagiar.
In the 24th minute, a cross by De Siqueira was intercepted by goalie Buhagiar before Agius could connect in front of goal.
In the 33rd minute De Siqueira blasted a freekick from 30 metres well over the bar.
Moments later, it was Johan Bezzina who tried his luck from just outside the area, but goalie Buhagiar was not surprised and saved confidently.
On 38 minutes, Johan Bezzina indulged in a solo move into the Tarxien area, but his shot hit the side rigging.
Soon after the start of the second half, De Siqueira set Bezzina on the edge of the area, but his effort went just over the bar.
The Stripes took the lead on 50 minutes with a splendid goal. Bezzina's fine curling freekick was headed beautifully into the net by Nikola Vukanac giving goalie Buhagiar no chance.
The Rainbows threatened for the first time on 58 minutes when Mambouana descended on the right flank, but his final shot was weak and easily controlled by the diving Naumovski.
Tarxien had a good chance on 68 minutes when from a Siraj Arab cross, De Paixao had a header turned to corner in style by Naumovski.
In the 79th minute, Naumovski had to rush out of his charge to stop a Paolucci incursion. Soon after, Tarxien were reduced to 10 men when De Paixao was shown a second yellow card and was subsequently dismissed.
Birkirkara assured themselves of the three points on 88 minutes when off a Johan Bezzina freekick, Montebello breasted the ball down and then beat Buhagiar with a low shot.