Marsaxlokk-Birkirkara 2-2
Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, S. Wellman, C. Magro, L. Dimech, C. Mamo, C. Frendo, K. Sammut (S. Bajada), G. Sciberras, H. Doda (M. Licari), D. Bogdanovic, J. Pace
Birkirkara: A. Bledzewski, M.A. Bonnici, L. Galea, P. Borg (C. Micallef) (K. Fenech), R. Sammut, M. Calascione (M. Galea), E. Barbara, D. La Rossa, K. Scicluna, G. Mallia, G. Gallovich
Referee: A. Zammit Asst. refs: A. Camilleri, M. Debono 4th official: J. Attard
Scorers: K. Sammut, E. Barbara (pen), D. Bogdanovic, M. Galea
Yellow cards: M. Calascione, S. Wellman, G. Gallovich, K. Sammut, M. Galea
Red cards: S. Wellman, C. Frendo
Player of the match: Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara)
TMI top three: 1. L. Dimech 2. E. Barbara 3. L. Galea
Marsaxlokk were only seconds away from their ninth consecutive league win. But a late strike, deep into added time, by the returning Michael Galea, interrupted the leaders' winning streak as they were down to nine men for the last ten minutes, to give champions Birkirkara a deserved equaliser in an enthralling game, the best witnessed so far this season.
The last and only time Marsaxlokk were beaten this season was by Birkirkara on the opening day. The champions' hopes of repeating that feat yesterday were undermined by the absence of several key players, with Camenzuli and Holland the latest recruits on their casualty list.
Marsaxlokk, ominously for their opponents, were almost at full strength as Cleaven Frendo returned to the side instead of Shawn Bajada.
An eventful first half produced plenty of entertainment and a high ratio of opportunities as both sides set out with an attacking game-plan that involved some running and flashy inter passing.
Marsaxlokk got the better of the early exchanges as Sammut shot over from inside the Birkirkara area after 11 minutes and seven minutes later Magro's shot from a distance thumped against the bar. The woodwork again denied Marsaxlokk towards the half hour, holding out Bogdanovic's exquisite shot on the turn on Sammut's cross.
Birkirkara needed time to settle but midway through the half showed that they were not without ambition either.
A Gallovich cross shot was blocked by the Marsaxlokk defence. Calascione shot the loose ball off target. Then Mallia's shot hit Dimech's arm, the ball fell into Galea's path who shot narrowly wide.
On 33 minutes, Barbara's teasing free-kick was headed into a corner as the match became highly entertaining and evenly balanced.
Timely tackles by Galea on Bogdanovic and Dimech on Barabara halted the respective side's progression.
On 37 minutes, Pace's close range effort on Sciberras' low cross from the right, was deflected into a corner.
The champions mounted some sustained pressure towards the end of the first half and went close again when Barbara and Calascione exchanged passes to split the Marsaxlokk rearguard but Calascione's squeezed shot was cleared on the line. On 41 minutes, La Rossa's free-kick took a wicked deflection off the Marsaxlokk wall but keeper Gauci tipped the ball over for a corner.
Two minutes before the break Birkirkara's keeper Bledzewski was rendered helpless by Kevin Sammut's arrow-like drive on Bogdanovic's cross from the right to give Marsaxlokk a one-goal cushion by halftime.
The champions started the second period in aggressive fashion, holding their opponents inside their own half for long stretches. They won a succession of free-kicks on the edge of the Marsaxlokk penalty area. Gauci palmed out Barbara's kick from the right and Gallovich headed another Barbara free-kick from the left just wide.
Towards the hour, Barbara split the Marsaxlokk defence with his foray and sent a low pass to the unmarked Calascione. Wellman averted the danger with his timely clearance.
Tempers started to flare and three players were booked as play became more disjointed and the first half niceties long forgotten.
On 67 minutes, Michael Galea made his return for Birkirkara after a long lay off and Marsaxlokk immediately reacted with their counter substitution, putting in Bajada for Sammut. In no time, Michael Galea went close when he controlled Barbara's pass inside the area but was foiled by the Marsaxlokk keeper who blocked at his feet.
Birkirkara's efforts were rewarded on 70 minutes when they were given a penalty for Magro's handling inside the area after the flagging of assistant Debono. Etienne Barbara tucked it away to restore equilibrium.
But that lasted only six minutes. Marsaxlokk regained the lead with a perfectly placed Bogdanovic header, connecting well on Frendo's excellent sailing cross from half pitch.
Marsaxlokk suffered a double setback soon after, having two players sent off within a minute. On 80 minutes, Wellman was dismissed after collecting two bookings and within seconds, Frendo was red carded for a late tackle on Lino Galea.
Down to nine men, Marsaxlokk were forced to retreat deeper, defending their slight lead for the remainder of the game as Birkirkara surged forward. Four minutes of added time allowed the champions to salvage a point as Michael Galea struck low Lino Galea's pass to beat Gauci and send the Birkirkara fans in frenzy.
It was a fitting finale to an entertaining and highly charged match.