Birkirkara: D. Simon, MA Bonnici (M. Galea), L. Galea, P. Monye, W. Camenzuli, M. Calascione (A. Zahra), R. Briffa, K. Scicluna, G. Mallia, E. Yantchev (JP Mifsud Triganza), A. Ciantar.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, N. Dos Santos Gomes (C. Magro), C. Bart-Williams, G. Sciberras, J. Pace, A. Schembri, C. Frendo, K. Sammut (M. Licari), S. Wellman, S. Bajada (T. Templeman),.

Referee: A. Casha. Asst refs: J. Rapa, A. Camilleri. 4th official: A. Azzopardi.

Scorers: C. Frendo pen, M. Galea,

Yellow cards: E. Yantchev, C. Frendo, W. Camenzuli, M. Galea,

Red card: L. Galea,

BOV player of the match: C. Frendo.

TMI Top 3: 1. S. Wellman, 2. W. Camenzuli, 3. C. Frendo.

Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk shared the spoils in a balanced and keen match at the national stadium yesterday evening.

While the two teams lost their one hundred per cent record, it was evident that they were both happy with the result at the end.

Referee Casha was the major protagonist with some decisions which did not go down well with those present. The penalty awarded to Marsaxlokk was a very harsh decision and so was his decision to send off Lino Galea, leaving Birkirkara in 10 men.

Minutes later, he failed to award Marsaxlokk a second penalty when the Stripes goalie appeared to have floored Cleaven Frendo. If there was no penalty, then he should have book the Marsaxlokk youngster for simulation! But he did not.

Marsaxlokk showed a lot of improvement over their first outing and yesterday, they clearly showed that they will be among the front runners this season.

In the first half, it was Birkirkara, though, who had the better start, but by the 15th minute, Marsaxlokk came back strongly into the game and till the end of the half, they even had the better chances.

In the second half the match took a different pattern as Marsaxlokk took the lead early through a controversial penalty. Moreover, it also became more uphill for Birkirkara as they had to continue playing in 10 men with Lino Galea also being sent off.

But the Stripes fought back admirably, finding the equaliser through substitute Michael Galea who showed glimpses of his true form after he entered the pitch as a second half substitute.

Marsaxlokk were cautious in the initial stages but it was Marinov’s men who created the first opportunities. On 15 minutes, Cleaven Frendo’s effort from a freekick went just wide while soon afterwards, Andre Schembri had his effort from about 30 metres, with Simon out of position following a bad clearance, hitting the post and going dead.

Birkirkara responded two minutes later with a solo move by Roderick Briffa, but his final effort passed across goal, missing the target by the proverbial hair’s breath.

On 37 minutes, Camenzuli came to Birkirkara’s rescue when he cleared to corner in extremis a dangerous cross from Jamie Pace, who had avoided Simon.

Two minutes later, Camenzuli’s freekick was headed down by Calascione to Yantchev but Ruben Gauci dived sideways to save excellently.

Marsaxlokk were awarded a penalty soon after the start of the second half. And it was a controversial one indeed. A Wellman hard shot appeared to have been handled, but it was too close. The action continued as Wellman came face to face with Simon, but Lino Galea appeared to have got to the ball first and sent it to corner. But to the surprise of many, Mr Casha pointed to the dreaded spot. To make matters worse for the Stripes, Lino Galea was also shown the red card. In any case, Cleaven Frendo gave Simon no chance to put the southern seasiders ahead.

Two minutes later, at the other end, Calascione won a loose ball near the corner flag, advanced into the Marsaxlokk area only to see his fine lob hitting the upright with Gauci beaten.

Marsaxlokk had another good opportunity on 66 minutes, but Andre Schembri muffed it as he lobbed well over the bar.

On 69 minutes, referee Casha was again the protagonist when Birkirkara goalie Simon appeared to have floored Frendo as the latter went past him in the area. But the official, not far away from the action, saw nothing untoward. Not even a yellow card to Frendo for simulation!

Birkirkara equalised on the 76th minute with a well taken goal. Briffa and Michael Galea combined well for the latter to lob over the advancing Briffa.

With a man more, Marsaxlokk pressed for the winner in the closing stages and on the 88th minute, a Frendo free kick had to be tipped to corner by Simon.

But the final whistle found both teams on equal terms.