Despite a long break, Birkirkara's winning streak remained undented as they chalked up their fifth league victory on the trot, beating an inferior Msida St Joseph side with plenty to spare. The Stripes have now caught up with Sliema Wanderers at the top of the standings for the first time this season.

Their sharp and incisive football from a full strength side which had Ciantar, Calascione, Nwoko and Yantchev starting on the bench, but well inspired by Zahra's marauding runs across the entire area of the newly resurfaced pitch, enabled them to overcome Msida's challenge which only lasted for the first half. It was largely Birkirkara who made the chances and played the more inventive football in the second half against an Msida defence which never looked truly comfortable.

The Saints missed two key players, Roderick Bajada and Dino Cachia, but failed to take the chances which came their way. Following Babatunde's substitution shortly before half-time, they were rendered teethless in the second half and were totally dominated by their opponents.

Birkirkara could scarcely have made a more promising and productive start. They scored after five minutes when a messy clearance by Fenech on a Barbara cross, enabled Antoine Zahra to blast in the loose ball past a helpless Borg in goal.

But Msida could have gone in front themselves within the very first minute. Nwoke's pacey run on Babatunde's pass took him past a defender but his low flick, beating keeper Simon, went inches wide.

Past the half hour, Birkirkara's implicit superiority began to show. On 36 minutes Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza chased a long ball inside the Msida area, foiled two opponents with a body feint and planted the ball at the far corner past a helpless Borg.

With half-time beckoning, Msida were dealt another blow when forced to substitute the injured Babatunde after he fell awkwardly.

The Saints kept trying though and a Carabott menacing free-kick from the left was turned into a corner by keeper Simon.

Birkirkara's high spirits were somehow dampened eight minutes into the second half when they conceded a penalty for an infringement on Msida's captain Sciberras inside their area, well spotted by referee Lautier. Daniel Theuma tucked away the penalty to give Msida some scant hopes. Only for a couple of minutes though as Etienne Barbara pounced on a long ball, capitalised on Msida's unbalanced rearguard, and slid it past keeper Borg to restore a two-goal cushion and a firm grip on the proceedings.

All the Saints' hopes were dashed as Birkirkara pinned them inside their own half for almost the rest of the half. Showing serious flaws in their covering, Msida were lucky not to concede a cricket score as both Scicluna and Galea missed good opportunities.

Barbara lofted the ball in front of goal when put clear by Galea and ten minutes from time, substitute Nwoko missed the most clear-cut opportunity when he failed to convert Camenzuli's inviting low cross.

On the stroke of time, Michael Galea scored his side's fourth, off a Camenzuli pass.

It was no more than Birkirkara deserved after dominating the game for long periods.

Birkirkara: D. Simon, M.A. Bonnici (M. Calascione), P. Monye, R. Sammut, W. Camenzuli, E. Barbara (A. Ciantar), M. Galea, A. Zahra, K. Scicluna, J. P. Mifsud Triganza (C. Nwoko), G. Mallia

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Theuma, J. Mifsud, D. Carabott (D. Gatt), M. Pullicino, C. Micallef, T. Farrugia, C. Sciberras, P. Fenech (L. Micallef), I. Babatunde (S. Tagliaferro), D. Nwoke

Referee: C. Lautier Asst.refs: K. Borg, C. Micallef 4th official: A. Casha

Scorers: A. Zahra, J. P. Mifsud Triganza, D. Theuma (pen), E. Barbara, M. Galea

Yellow cards: J. Mifsud, D. Theuma, D. Carabott

Player of the match: A. Zahra (Bikirkara)

TMI top three: 1. A. Zahra 2. J.P. Mifsud Triganza 3. D. Theuma