Marsaxlokk 0

Birkirkara 3

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, J. Pace, K. Mamo, C. Paiber, C. Magro, C. Magro, T. Templeman, A. Schembri (C. Carabott), C. Frendo, M. Ivanov Trendafilov, I. Zammit (B. Caruana).

Birkirkara: S. Darmanin, M. Bonnici, P. Monye, R. Sammut, W. Camenzuli, H. Doda (M. Galea), C. Nwoko (E. Barbara), L. Dronca, K. Scicluna, J. Mifsud Triganza (J. Sammut Vasques), A. Ciantar.

Referee: L. Sammut. Asst refs: P. Agius, K. Borg. 4th official: J. Attard.

Yellow card: I. Zammit, P. Monye.

Scorers: A. Ciantar, E. Barbara (2).

Player of the match: J. Mifsud Triganza.

TMI top 3: 1. H. Doda, 2. P. Monye, 3. W. Camenzuli.

Birkirkara had the better of Marsaxlokk yesterday to move temporarily to second place and win an important three points.

It was a hard fought victory which was earned through perseverance and some fine play especially in the second half where the Stripes proved to be superior to Marsaxlokk.

And there was positive news for the side as Michael Galea made a return as a substitute after a long absence out because of an injury. Birkirkara had to take the field without George Mallia and Lino Galea who were added to the list of injured players.

Unlike their most recent encounters where Marsaxlokk fielded a heavily depleted side, yesterday coach Marinov decided to field the strongest team.

But still, Birkirkara proved to be superior and had it not been for Debono who thwarted them with a number of saves, they could have won more easily.

Birkirkara raided Marsaxlokk’s fort in the 10th minute but Mifsud Triganza’s effort from the edge of the area went over the bar.

At the other end, Magro tested Darmanin with a very powerful shot from long range but the ball was central and was neutralised with ease by the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

Birkirkara forced four consecutive corners in the 24th minute. From the last one taken by Camenzuli, the ball came to Mifsud Triganza on the far post but he hit just wide.

After a good move by Jamie Pace and Ivan Zammit in the 33rd minute, the ball came to Cleaven Frendo who entered the area but his shot went wide.

Birkirkara went closest in the 37th minute. Camenzuli effected a superb astute pass which beat the offside trap, Mifsud Triganza controlled the ball but then hit wide from an ideal position.

Moments later, Ivanov Trendafilov hit a central shot which was again saved by Darmanin.

In added time, Birkirkara were again extremely close to taking the lead. Off a Ciantar corner, Mifsud Triganza headed the ball but it thumped against the crossbar and then fell on the goal-line. The referee waved play on.

Birkirkara took the lead in the 49th minute. Doda passed through the Marsaxlokk defence like a hot knife passing through butter. He angled himself letting Debono go out of his goal and then passed to the middle where Nwoko’s shot was first blocked but from the rebound Ciantar hit home a powerful drive.

Ciantar again tested goalkeeper Debono but this time the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper made a splendid save and turned to corner.

The Stripes continued to press and off a Camenzuli ferocious freekick, Debono blocked with difficulty. From the rebound, a scramble ensued but a goal was disallowed for offside.

And in the 61st minute, referee Lorry Sammut and assistant referee Konrad Borg made the most incredible error when the referee whistled for offside after the assistant referee had waved for the infringement on a backpass by a Marsaxlokk player which led to three Birkirkara players alone in front of Debono. Doda could not believe his ill-luck and Birkirkara’s protests were futile.

However, the Stripes added a second in 67th minute. Substitute Barbara, who had been on the field of play for barely two minutes, rounded goalkeeper Debono after good work by Doda and Mifsud Triganza.

Marsaxlokk tried to pull one back and went close in the 82nd minute when an Andre Schembri effort went over the bar. Earlier Camenzuli had hit a powerful drive which was saved with difficulty by Debono.

Birkirkara sealed the issue in added time when former Marsaxlokk player Barbara hit a first time shot off a cross by Bonnici to beat Debono for Birkirkara’s third.

It was the icing on the cake for Birkirkara who will clearly be very interested spectators at Monday’s top of the table encounter between Sliema and Valletta.