The first versus second before kick-off promised to be a gripping game. It turned out to be ill-tempered, with no less than eight players cautioned and two sending offs, but most of all shrouded in referee’s Chris Lautier first half technical error. It’s a pity that such an important match, played in front of a sizeable crowd of two sets of colourful supporters, was rendered to a near farce.

The all controversial episode came on 35 minutes. Marsaxlokk’s keeper Debono was sent off after committing a foul on Barbara inside the area and Birkirkara were awarded a penalty. Barbara’s over reaction, to his facial injury, needed the intervention of his team’s coaching staff to calm things down, as he aggressively kicked the bench. Barbara was later substituted.

Curiously enough, Marsaxlokk put in reserve keeper Jurgen Micallef but due to oversights from both the referee Lautier and the fourth official Anton Zammit, the Southseasiders continued the match with 11 men on the field.

To add insult to injury, Lino Galea’s penalty was saved by keeper Micallef, the latter also saving the rebound until the Birkirkara officials, aware of a technical error, protested with the referee. Pandemonium reigned supreme, with play interrupted, until Marsaxlokk’s Magro left the pitch, leaving his side in numerical disadvantage. Play continued with a drop ball.

Marsaxlokk nearly took the lead soon after when Pace galloped down the right flank and his diagonal shot hit the foot of the post with keeper Simon beaten.

In the second half, Birkirkara, who were playing under a formal protest, showed more attacking intent, but Marsaxlokk tried to close down at the back, allowing their opponents little space to manouvre in.

The Marsaxlokk keeper turned into a corner Mallia’s firm header on a Holland free-kick before Birkirkara drafted in Michael Galea for Briffa by the hour. Holland fractionally failed to make a decent contact on Galea’s low free-kick before Birkirkara scored the all important goal, that keeps them firmly on top of the standings, on 69 minutes. Matthew Calascione was left unattended inside the area and he punished Marsaxlokk with a clinical strike.

That goal changed the pattern of the game as Marsaxlokk were bound to go on the offensive, handing their opponents more space at the back.

Birkirkara’s rearguard was hardly troubled though although five minutes from time, Calascione was also sent off for his second bookable offence, after retaliation on Pace’s unsportsmanlike conduct.

Birkirkara claimed a penalty soon after substitute Mifsud Triganza was floored by Wellman but to Marsaxlokk fell the last chance of the match. Schembri went past two opponents on the left but shot wastefully wide and the chance of a draw went to waste