On Saturday afternoon, when Birkirkara were outplaying Hamrun Spartans to the tune of 6-0, I thought I was at Ta’ Qali in the mid-1990s.
In fact, their performance brought back memories of the days when Valletta used to rule the roost with one splendid performance after another which culminated in all that domination and the large number of trophies they collected.
Just before the rout of Hamrun, however, Valletta’s 2005-2006 edition was just good enough to overcome lowly Pieta by a solitary penalty goal.
How times change! The citizens are now a poor shadow of that mid-1990s team – one cannot make a comparison. Even if the victory meant three precious points in their quest to avoid the Relegation Pool.
On the other hand, Birkirkara are going from strength to strength and it is obvious that the team is reaching its peak at the right time – on the eve of the start of the Championship Pool.
The Stripes are now enjoying sole leadership temporarily, at least until today, when Sliema play their match in hand against Marsaxlokk. If not, then until Hibs play their match in hand on Saturday against Valletta.
However, the way the Stripes are playing must certainly be the envy of both Sliema and Hibernians, not to mention Marsaxlokk as well – all three of them Championship contenders at present.
What is really impressive in this Birkirkara team is the way they are demonstrating they are a true team. With David Simon inspiring more confidence between the posts, with William Camenzuli, George Mallia, Lino Galea and Etienne Barbara back to their best form and with coach Stephen Azzopardi seeing more of his players in action due to a fewer number of injuries, they have reached a status where one can describe them as irresistible.
Even the defence, which was at sixes and sevens in the early stages of the season, has now been strengthened with Patrick Monye, certainly one of the best foreigners on the island, giving it a much stronger image by playing a central role, rather than a midfielder’s role. This is now being taken up by William Camenzuli who, not only shows his great strength at the back and in launching attacks, but also as a scorer – two great goals in the last few matches.
The Stripes have forgotten all about the disastrous 2-0 defeat at the hands of Marsaxlokk and are now in the best position to start the Championship Pool challenge in a positive way, rather than chasing their rivals, as was the case in the past few seasons.
Hamrun had no time to settle down. After just five minutes, they were already 2-0 down as the Stripes quickly showed they were hungry for goals, taking command from the first whistle.
The Spartans, who had been acclaimed as a promising outfit until a few weeks ago, did not know what hit them in those opening minutes, as Etienne Barbara showed glimpses of what he can produce when with the ball at his feet.
The Spartans were obviously demoralised with this defeat. However, one must admit they were never expected to hold to a draw or defeat the Stripes. Their chances of avoiding the Relegation Pool, though dented seriously, are still alive, and they can still recover in their remaining matches against Valletta and Msida SJ.
Valletta did well to win the three points against Pieta, also considering that they had to play for almost three quarters of the match in ten men after the dismissal of English newcomer Craig Dean.
It was an important win for the Citizens, but they still leave much to be desired, even if another newcomer, Argentine Monesterolo, showed a lot of promise, making one believe he could become a good asset to the team when he settles down completely in his new surroundings.
Dean had a completely different start to his Malta spell, as he was shown a red card midway through the first half after retaliating to a foul. Despite the protests over the decision, I think the referee was right in showing him the red card and the Pieta player the yellow card.
As also the assistant referee was right when flagging for an offside infringement against Valletta late in the match when Pieta goalie Hogg was up with his forwards. In this case, it made it all the more evident that a large slice of fans do not yet have a good grasp of the rules!
Valletta have now joined Msida on the 17-point mark and are breathing more freely even if Hamrun and Floriana are still breathing down their necks.
As for Pieta, I cannot see them avoiding the Relegation Pool now with remaining matches against Msida St Joseph, Marsaxlokk and Sliema Wanderers, all in need of the three points.
The Hotspurs were found wanting up front as they failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority. Their two new foreigners, Kondev and Marius, had a difficult debut and were rarely able to make an impact on the game.
The Hotspurs remain three points behind eighth placed Floriana, five below seventh placed Hamrun and six points adrift of Valletta and Msida.
Remaining matches
The following is the programme of remaining matches for each team:
Birkirkara: v. Mosta, v. Floriana.
Hibernians: v. Valletta, v. Hamrun S., v. Marsaxlokk.
Sliema W.: v. Marsaxlokk (today), v. Floriana, v. Pieta H.
Marsaxlokk: v. Sliema W. (today), v. Pieta H., v. Hibernians
Msida SJ: v. Pieta H., v. Hibernians, v. Hamrun S.
Valletta: v. Hibernians, v. Hamrun S., v. Mosta
Hamrun S.: v. Valletta, v. Msida SJ.
Floriana: v. Mosta (today), v. Sliema W., v. Birkirkara.
Pieta H.: v. Msida SJ; v. Marsaxlokk; v. Sliema W.
Mosta: v. Floriana (today), v. Birkirkara, v. Valletta.
Best player
Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara)
The former Floriana and Marsaxlokk striker was in top form on Saturday afternoon as he mesmerised the Hamrun defence with a polished performance crowned by a brace of goals which does not include the first, which went in off a Debattista deviation.
Barbara had a somewhat quiet start at Birkirkara when he joined at this time of the year last season, but this season he had already showed glimpses of what a great player he ought to be at the start until injury halted his rise to fame.
Then he made a big comeback even with the national team, also scoring the equaliser against Bulgaria and from then on, he has never looked back, showing improvement with every match he has played, culminating in last Saturday’s fine performance.
Leading scorers
11 – Cleaven Frendo, Michael Galea
10 – Daniel Bogdanovic
9 – Andrew Cohen, Danilo Doncic, Daniel Nwoke, Gaetan Spiteri
8 – Ivan Woods, Adrian Mifsud
7 – Martin Deanov, Wendell Gomes, Andre Schembri, Etienne Barbara
6 – Terence Scerri, Maczerob Okoro,
5 – David Camilleri, Udo Nwoko, Haruna Doda, Ikechuckwu Chibueze
Next matches
At Centenary Stadium
Today
6pm Floriana-Mosta
8pm Sliema W.-Marsaxlokk
At National Stadium
Saturday
2pm Floriana-Sliema W.
4pm Hibernians-Valletta
Sunday
At V. Tedesco Stadium
12.45pm Pieta H.-Msida SJ
2.45pm Birkirkara-Mosta