Birkirkara beat rivals Valletta to get back on the right track following their defeat against champions Sliema. The match was far below the expected level and the large crowd present, the best of the season, must have left the stadium rather disappointed in the icy Ta' Qali conditions.

The result goes down well with the Wanderers who scraped a draw in the first match and now have a three point gap over Valletta at the top of the table.

Birkirkara were simply better than their opponents yesterday. The Satripes were very solid in defence with Monye and Dronca above the rest. Up front Etienne Barbara played his best match so far after joining them from Marsaxlokk, with Michael Galea playing behind the tandem Barbara-Doda.

It was certainly not a match to remember for Valletta, who failed in attack with no real scoring action in front of Darmanin, the defence looked plucky at times and the midfield sector never managed to win the battle with the opposing department.

Valletta fielded two of their recent signings, namely Chris Oretan and Branco Nisevic, with Anatole Debono left on the substitute's bench. Valletta even managed to recover Gilbert Agius who was in doubt before the start of the match.

For Birkirkara, goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin was making his debut between the posts, with Justin Haber relegated as substitute.

The first half was rather balanced with very few scoring actions. Birkirkirkara enjoyed the lions' share in the first part but the Citizens held the upper hand in the second part. Gilbert Agius shot slightly wide after barely a minute play, but Birkirkara immediately took hold of the midfield sector and held the initiative.

Etienne Barbara was in the midst of the action on the right flank and Nisevic had to show all his experience to subdue him. However Birkirkara had nothing to show for their territorial superiority and Darmanin was the first goalkeeper called in action after 19 minutes when he had to dive to block a dipper by Bondin.

George Mallia failed to connect to a long ball by Chucks Nwoko, whilst Doda, although always menacing whenever with the ball, never tested Sullivan. Doda's only conclusion was a weak header following a good Barbara run.

On 39 minutes Etienne Barbara hit the crossbar when his cross shot completely deceived Sullivan, but the crossbar saved the Valletta custodian.

After 50 seconds from the restart Birkirkara took the lead when Etienne Barbara passed to Michael Galea who shot immediately on the turn with the ball finishing at the back of the net with Sullivan unable to stop the ball.

The goal was the right tonic for this match as Valletta surged forward in search of the equaliser, but they lost composure in the process as Birkirkara gained in confidence.

Massimo Grima shot wide from a freekick, but the stripes replied with a Camenzuli freekick hitting the crossbar.

Valletta were now in great difficulty with Oretan unable to see the ball, completely subdued by a superb Monye. On 65 minutes Birkirkara almost doubled the score with Michael Galea creating havoc after a great run but Keith Fenech saved hi side, almost from the goal line.

Aquilina introduced strikers Zammit and Debono, the latter making his debut for the Lillywhites.

However it was Barbara who tested Sullivan with a fierce drive from 25 metres. In the last minutes, Valletta urged by their loyal and numerous fans, tried to increase the pressure but to no avail, as Birkirkara held to their lead to obtain a precious win.