Disturbingly short of penetration, Birkirkara cracked in two goals in a late devastating three-minute burst yesterday – as Sliema caved in – to earn their first league win under new coach John Buttigieg and end a miserable run of three consecutive defeats.

Until then, Sliema had produced the tight marking and work rate that had seen them keep a clean sheet in their previous three outings.

Despite fielding a depleted defence yesterday, bereft of the injured Dilello, Ian Ciantar, Muscat and the suspended Pace, they enjoyed a Madzar early lead, his fifth league goal since joining them in January.

Despite the scoreline, which flattered them, Birkirkara hardly played to their true potential.

In spells they betrayed the gloom which has settled in their side but whatever talk by coach Buttigieg, they failed to produce a convincing display.

This despite the fact that their starting line-up included the return of Mark Anthony Bonnici and Lino Galea in defence and Michael Galea in attack.

The Wanderers were the more fluent side but could not turn the midfield domination, earned by Giglio and Bajada into chances.

Although at times their football was good to watch, they failed to produce a telling finish.

Sliema made the early running, creating a couple of chances, which eventually led to their goal after only six minutes play. Bajada’s shot on a Sliema break from Woods, was saved into a corner by keeper Bledzewski. From the ensuing corner, Bajada picked the clearance, sent a deep cross and Aleksandar Madzar headed the ball firmly past the goalkeeper.

Birkirkara took long to pull themselves into the match as scoring ideas were often stifled once either side progressed past the half-way line.

On 20 minutes, Barbara made room inside the Sliema area from the left. His low diagonal shot was saved by the stretched Akanji.

Towards the half hour, both sides spurned good chances. Barbara scuffed his shot wide on a Ciantar inviting pass and on the other end Anonam missed the target when put completely clear by Giglio.

Birkirkara again looked profligate before the break. A corner from the right caused panic in the Sliema defence but Mallia failed to capitalise on Akanji’s poor job when he rushed off his line to clear, lifting the ball over a gaping goal at his mercy.

The quality of play did not improve much after resumption. Birkirkara came up with the usual pot shot but otherwise both goalkeepers remained untroubled. Past the hour, Sliema substituted Brincat and Giglio after receiving some hard knocks as Birkirkara put in Larrosa for Ciantar.

The game was heading nowhere until Sliema were crushed by two goals in three minutes with a quarter of an hour left. A poor Sliema clearance fell to William Camenzuli who drilled his shot past the stranded Akanji and shortly after, substitute Dario Larrosa caught Sliema’s defence napping as he ran on sweetly to beat the keeper with a low drive.

Sliema tried to react but despite Galea’s inclusion, they failed to recover.

With gaps at the back they nearly conceded more goals in the dying minutes as Barbara was denied by Lombardi’s timely clearance and another Barbara effort was footed out by Akanji.

* * *

Birkirkara: A. Bledzewski, M.A. Bonnici, L. Galea (R. Sammut), P. Monye, W. Camenzuli, E. Barbara, M. Galea, R. Briffa, K. Scicluna, G. Mallia, A. Ciantar (D. Larrosa)

Sliema W: M. Akanji, D. Carabott (M. Galea), B. Said, J. Chetcuti, L. Lombardi, J. Brincat (N. Turner), R. Bajada, S. Giglio (C. Nwoko), I. Woods, A. Madzar, O. Anonam

Referee: C. Lautier Asst.refs: K. Borg, E. Spiteri 4th official: J. Attard

Scorers: A. Madzar, W. Camenzuli, D. Larrosa

Yellow cards: L. Galea, P. Monye, A. Ciantar, I. Woods

Player of the match: Roderick Bajada (Sliema Wanderers)

TMI top three: 1. R. Bajada 2. W. Camenzuli 3. S. Giglio