Sliema W. 0
Birkirkara 1
Sliema W.: T. Aquilina, M. Muchardi, K. Shaw, J. Mintoff (K. Amehi 59'), I. Varela, R. Fenech (M. Scerri 69'), A. Nortey, M. Sansone, C. Pani, S. Biancardi, Y. Marzouk
B'Kara: A. Hogg, D. Chapoval, M. Andelkovic, M. Vella, L. Montebello, J. Bezzina, K. Zammit (C.Failla 72') , E. Ferreira, N. Vukanac, M. De Siqueira (C. Attard 75'), J. Da Silva Pereira (M. Mifsud 64')
Referee: Laurent Kopriwa ( Lussemburgu)
Asst refs: Joaquim Da Silva, Tom Hansen
4th official: Ishmael Barbara
Scorers: Luke Montebello 90'
Yellow cards: Fenech , Pani, Vella, Montebello
Player of the match: Ryan Fenech (Sliema W.)
TMI Top 3: 1. R. Fenech 2. N. Vukanac 3. M. Muchardi
A goal scored by striker Luke Montebello deep into stoppage time gave Birkirkara three precious points in their quest to fight for European football come next season.
Sliema's target were the maximum points as their ultimate aim is to chase a place in the Uefa Europa League after a four year absence. They had gone on a positive run since the appointment of Stefano Maccoppi, winning three out of their last four matches and unbeaten in their last seven outings. But Montebello's goal brought to an end this positive run.
Birkirkara have been in turmoil come lately receiving a double blow. First they were ordered to pay a hefty sum to their former coach Paul Zammit and just last later sporting director John Arne Riise walked out of the club citing personal reasons.
In their last match the Stripes lost against Hamrun Spartans. Mark Buttigieg who assumed the head coach role had to do without the suspended Terence Agius.
In the first round Birkirkara defeated Sliema Wanderers by two goals to nil. This win will surely instill confidence and serve as a morale booster for the Stripes.
The first half was a dull encounter with neither team being of a threat to the respective goalkeepers. In fact it was only in the 28th minute when Birkirkara tried their luck through a long range shot by Vella which ended over the bar.
On the half hour the Stripes could have broke the deadlock when Montebello squared towards Jorginho but his shot was cleared to safety by Biancardi. And a minute from the end of the first half following a corner from the right side, a melee ensued with Kurt Shaw's final shot saved by Hogg.
And in first half stoppage time a De Siqueira free kick was saved by Aquilina.
On the change of ends when only two minutes had elapsed a Ryan Fenech grounder scraped the upright. And two minutes later the Blues countered with Fenech setting Marzouk and the latter with only Hogg to beat concluded into his hands.
Sliema were now controlling the proceedings and held the upper hand. In the 69th minute a Marzouk rising shot from the edge of the area sailed just over the bar.
Fourteen minutes from the end of the match substitute Cain Attard had his shot saved with some difficulty by Aquilina.
On 84 minutes Michael Mifsud fired a shot towards goal but Aquilina saved with ease.
And in the second minute of stoppage time Birkirkara striked gold. Cain Attard's shot was blocked by a Sliema defender and Luke Montebello had the easiest of chances to just tap in and cruise home to victory.