BIRKIRKARA 3

MARSA 0

Birkirkara: A. Bledzewski, M.A. Bonnici, P. Borg, R. Sammut (A. Spiteri), M. Calascione (A. Ciantar), M. Galea (C. Micallef), R. Briffa, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, K. Scicluna, J. Zerafa, G. Mallia

Marsa: J. Debono, G. Bencini, K. Scerri, K. Cassar, S. Cutajar (J. Dalli), R. Micallef, V. Bellia, J.P. Zammit, N. Fasinelli, D. Cucciardi (J. Casha), W. Chircop (I. Borg)

Referee: A. Arciola Asst.refs: P. Agius, M. Debono 4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: J.P. Mifsud Triganza (2), R. Briffa

Yellow cards: M.A. Bonnici, G. Mallia, D. Cucciardi

Player of the match: J.P. Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. R. Briffa 2. J. P. Mifsud Triganza 3. M. A. Bonnici

Marsa are still rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, having to win their first match this season, but against Birkirkara yesterday they could do little to dispel those mounting relegation worries. That they conceded only three goals was remarkable enough.

The champions did not just produce networks of passes, but networks of thoughtful probing balls, giving them plenty of full-back options, to highlight the gulf between the two sides.

Birkirkara always had more ideas, better shape and that extra class and could have had more goals.

For all their voluminous work in the first 45 minutes, Birkirkara had only one goal in their favour by half-time. The champions pinned their opponents inside their own half and raked numerous crosses for Galea and Mifsud Triganza to exploit, well aware that Marsa were missing two key figures at the back – the injured Darren Vella and Emil Yanchev, who left the club. Although Fasinelli returned to the side, Marsa still sought defensive security, with seven or eight men behind the ball.

The champions, who were also well below optimum strength with Camenzuli and Lino Galea missing and Barbara sitting on the bench, forced a succession of corners, but none proved fruitful, although Mallia’s headed effort from close range was blocked by keeper Debono in the early stages.

Birkirkara scored the only first half goal on 28 minutes as Bonnici’s long cross was headed in by Jean Paul Mifsud Triganza.

Just before the break, Birkirkara could have easily scored a second after Briffa played a good ball to Galea inside the area but the striker volleyed narrowly wide.

Birkirkara kept going forward in furious waves after the interval. It was only a matter of time before they scored their second goal. On 56 minutes keeper Debono failed to put a grip on the ball as he rushed out to intercept Mallia’s corner kick from the left, and Mifsud Triganza was close to shoot the loose ball into an unattended goal.

Birkirkara kept up the initiative but failed to convert their total dominance into more goals as they fluffed several chances. Debono saved Mallia’s low header on Briffa’s cross while Galea headed Zerafa’s teasing cross wide from a promising position.

After Ciantar made his comeback for Birkirkara, going in as a substitute for Calascione on 64 minutes, Birkirkara again spurned a couple of chances. Mifsud Triganza missed the target with his grounder while Mallia contrived to miss on Briffa’s penetrating pass.

Ten minutes from time though, midfielder Roderick Briffa crowned a superb performance with a stunning shot from the edge of the area, beating the helpless Marsa keeper.

By then Birkirkara had the bit between their teeth and, effecting all their three substitutions, even giving a debut to their new signing Andrew Spiteri, they were pushing forward for fun at the end. The prospects of joining the top six now look extremely good for the champions.