Birkirkara reached next Sunday’s final of the Super Five Cup tournament when in yesterday’s first match they overturned a 1-0 deficit in just a minute to beat Marsaxlokk 2-1.

As widely predicted, yesterday’s matches failed to attract the crowds. Only a few hundreds braved the cold at the Ta’ Qali Centenary Stadium.

It was a simple confirmation, if this was ever needed, that the public is no longer giving its support to such competitions, especially those played during the festive season.

The Stripes had Chucks Nwoko and Mark Anthony Bonnici back in their starting line-up after they had both been relegated to the substitutes’ bench since that ill-fated match against Valletta.

The first half confirmed the pitiful state of both sides at present. Neither of the two sets seemed able to raise their performance above the mediocre.

It was a boring 45 minutes in which only the Stripes attempted some half-hearted efforts at the Marsaxlokk goal. But these were well wide of the target and Marsaxlokk goalie Ivan Casha was never seriously tested, as was his counterpart at the other end, Justin Haber.

Marsaxlokk appeared happier to operate on the break but the Birkirkara defence proved to be superior.

In the second half, Marsaxlokk improved beyond recognition after coach Atanas Marinov effected a change – Edmond Thornton instead of an ineffective Jamie Pace.

The Stripes seemed to have lost their firepower in midfield when Nwoko was substituted even if he was not having an outstanding match. In fact, Marsaxlokk controlled midfield and could have taken the lead earlier than the 71st minute, having been unlucky with two efforts hitting the posts.

But that proved to be a false alert as Birkirkara struck twice through Doda in one minute to turn the tables on their opponents, kicking them out of the final.

Birkirkara were the first to have a pot at goal but a Haruna Doda effort from outside the area was well off target.

The second attempt arrived on 28 minutes when Doda squared the ball for Ciantar who hit a rising shot, also over the bar.

On 38 minutes, it was Michael Galea who set George Mallia only for the latter’s shot to hit the side rigging. Soon after, it was Michael Galea who just missed the target with a low shot.

Just before the interval, Marsaxlokk went close for the first time when a cross by Barbara saw Kevin Mamo just failing to connect in front of Haber.

Early in the second half, Casha had to rush out of his charge to dive at the feet of Michael Galea, set in the area by Mallia.

At the other end, an Etienne Barbara low shot from the edge of the area forced Haber into his first save, turning the ball to corner.

Birkirkara had a header by Doda, off a Mallia corner, going over the bar.

Marsaxlokk were unlucky not to take the lead on 61 minutes. Thornton’s low shot beat Haber, but Camenzuli cleared from over the line. The ball hit the upright and rebounded out with Lino Galea eventually cleared off David Camilleri.

Moments later, in another good move, Thornton set Draganov, but the latter’s shot also hit the crossbar with Haber beaten.

At the other end, George Mallia’s low effort was easily saved by Casha.

Marsaxlokk deserved to take the lead on 71 minutes. Kevin Mamo’s long ball was not cleared by Camenzuli and Draganov found time and space to advance and lob over the onrushing Haber and into the net.

On 80 minutes, Birkirkara equalised with an excellent goal. Doda and Mallia exchanged the ball beautifully and the Nigerian received the compliment to past his direct opponent and hit home a fine rising shot.

A minute later, Doda was again on target. He received a perfect through ball from Camenzuli and beat Casha with a low effort.

With four minutes to go a David Camilleri freekick hit the crossbar with the ball going dead.

In added time, however, it was Magro who denied Birkirkara a third goal as he cleared off the line a Michael Galea effort. At the other end, Paiber had a low shot saved easily by Haber.