Pieta H.-Birkirkara 0-2

Birkirkara are top of the standings, together with Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians, this morning, thanks to a hard fought victory, against Pieta Hotspurs. Two second half goals by Barbara and substitute Calascione, overcame a resolute Pieta side and a superb Andrew Hogg in goal, to finally bag full points and achieve their target.

Birkirkara made three changes from the side that beat Sliema in midweek. Lino Galea and Roderick Sammut were exiled to the bench, making way for Holland and Yanchev, while Mifsud Triganza started in attack for the suspended Michael Galea. The latter’s absence, added to the inavailability of Zahra, was sorely missed up front.

Pieta, bereft of their defensive stalwart David Camenzuli due to suspension, battled hard to put their present problems behind them. Although pinned inside their own half for long periods, they looked composed and never allowed their superior opponents much comfort on the ball.

For all their ample possession, Birkirkara could not thread a way past Andrew Hogg in the first half. The Pieta keeper was inspired, reeling off several splendid saves, among which holding out a Barbara penalty, and the subsequent rebound, on 20 minutes, after a handling by the Pieta defender Spiteri inside the area was spotted by assistant referee Rapa.

Hogg was over the top again on 35 minutes, palming out Camenzuli’s blistering free-kick from 35 metres. When the Pieta keeper looked beaten by Barbara’s run on the stroke of half-time, the Birkirkara forward slid the ball inches wide as the stalemate prevailed.

The pattern of the game did not change much in the second period as Birkirkara showed more attacking intent.

With Calascione going in for Mifsud Triganza, Hogg again denied Barbara, saving his effort and then footing out Mallia’s grounder towards the hour.

Five minutes later Etienne Barbara finally broke the duck as he chased a long through ball and beat the onrushing Hogg with a left-foot strike between the keeper and his near post.

Even after that, the plucky Hotspurs refused to roll over and kept fighting gamely although they rarely got sight of the opposing goal. Keeper Hogg continued to be his side’s shining beacon, thwarting Birkirkara time and again. He held out Calascione’s goalbound effort after good work and a perfect cross by Barbara from the left flank.

Then Spiteri headed out Mallia’s insidious cross as Hogg produced yet another sizzling save on Scicluna’s point-blank shot.

But there was no denying Birkirkara two minutes from time. After Briffa laid the ball for Camenzuli, his cross shot was met by Matthew Calascione to slot the ball home, putting all the Birkirkara clan’s minds finally at rest.

Pieta H: A. Hogg, A. Spiteri, B. Sciberras, I. Deanov, C. Sammut, D. Gera, R. Grech (R. Camilleri), C. Calleja, M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi (M. Marmara’), D. Mifsud (C. Pulo)

Birkirkara: S. David, P. Monye, W. Camenzuli, E. Barbara, J. Holland, K. Scicluna, R. Briffa, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (M. Calascione), G. Mallia, E. Yanchev (L. Galea), A. Ciantar

Referee: P. Caruana Asst refs: K. Borg, J. Rapa 4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: E. Barbara, M. Calascione

Yellow cards: A. Spiteri, I. Deanov, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, E. Barbara, D. Gera

Player of the match: Andrew Hogg (Pieta H)

TMI top three: 1. A. Hogg 2. G. Mallia 3. A. Spiteri