Msida SJ-Birkirkara 1-4
It was back to another routine win for league leaders Birkirkara after a draw against Sliema Wanderers in the previous match.
This time Birkirkara left it late to inflict yet another heavy defeat on an understrength Msida side, still looking for their first win in the Championship Pool.
The Saints only resisted for about 20 minutes, after taking a surprise lead but giving it away shortly afterwards, to hand the initiative to Birkirkara, inspired by some powerplay from their best three players, Michael Galea, Barbara, scorer of two goals, and Briffa, who scored the most spectacular goal of his side’s four.
The Stripes, who now open a five point lead over the Wanderers, were never in danger of dropping any points despite having Camenzuli suspended while Mallia’s return to the side had to be postponed after the player injured himself during the warm-up.
Msida were bereft of several regulars, most notably striker Babatunde while keeper Borg, Theuma and Sciberras were exiled to the bench.
The Stripes’ attacking intentions, with Barbara and Mifsud Triganza up front and attacking midfielders Michael Galea and Calascione in close support, were stifled by Msida’s organisational play at the back.
The Saints even exceeded expectations when they broke the deadlock after 20 minutes. Tyrone Farrugia picked Zongo’s cross from the byeline to steer the ball past the helpless Simon.
Facing an uphill task, Birkirkara reacted immediately and fierce. It took them only three minutes to restore equilibrium. Etienne Barbara received the ball on the edge of the area and beat keeper Bartolo with a low drive.
Birkirkara kept up their dominance. After a Barbara teasing cross from the right found no support, Barbara had his effort cleared off the line by Mifsud.
The second half however belonged entirely to Birkirkara who dominated for long stretches, despite losing the services of the injured Holland after only six minutes, following a head collision with Msida’s Mifsud, who also had to be substituted.
Msida were looking edgy and slipshod as Birkirkara poured on the embarrassment.
A Michael Galea free-kick was saved by the goalkeeper, helped by the post and another Barbara free-kick from the left was repelled by Bartolo but Mifsud Triganza’s effort on the loose ball was deflected into a corner.
On 69 minutes, Msida’s defence leaked water when Roderick Briffa volleyed spectacularly Michael Galea’s corner kick to give his side the lead and ease some of the mounting tension.
Msida threw away the towel too briskly though and succumbed to concede two more goals within a minute, with ten minutes remaining.
Etienne Barbara hooked Mifsud Triganza’s pass to beat Bartolo with some clinical finish and then Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza himself lobbed Barbara’s pass beyond the Msida keeper’s reach to secure the points and make it a more emphatic win.
It was no more than Birkirkara deserved after dominating the game for long periods.
Msida SJ: M. Bartolo, J. Mifsud (K. Ebejer), S. Grima, M. Pullicino, T. Farrugia, D. Gatt (A. Spiteri), D. Cachia, P. Fenech, L. Micallef, D. Nwoke, O. Zongo
Birkirkara: D. Simon, M.A. Bonnici, P. Monye (P. Borg), R. Sammut, M. Calascione, E. Barbara, M. Galea, J. Holland (L. Galea), K. Scicluna, J. P. Mifsud Triganza (L. Stivala), R. Briffa
Referee: P. Caruana Asst. refs: N. Debattista J. Rapa 4th official: K. Azzopardi
Scorers: T. Farrugia, E. Barbara (2), R. Briffa, J.P. Mifsud Triganza
Yellow card: R. Briffa, M. Pullicino
Player of the match: Rodrick Briffa (Birkirkara)
TMI top three: 1. M. Galea 2. R. Briffa 3. T. Farrugia