MSIDA ST JOSEPH 1

BIRKIRKARA 3

Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Sciriha, S. Grima (A. Farrugia), J. Mifsud, T. Farrugia, D. Cachia, S. Bajada (R. Baldacchino), P. Fenech, I. Babatunde, D. Nwoke, O. Zongo

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

Referee: P. Caruana asst.refs: K. Borg, M. Debono 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: M. Galea (2), E. Barbara (pen), D. Nwoke

Yellow cards: S. Bajada, P. Fenech, S. Grima, G. Mallia, D. Cachia

Player of the match: Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. A. Bledzewski 2. O. Zongo 3. M. Galea

SILVIO VELLA

This was a chance for Msida St Joseph to improve on a dismal run of four consecutive defeats against a Birkirkara side which is still struggling to find the best form despite grinding out two wins under new coach John Buttigieg.

Msida’s cause was undermined by a wrong refereeing decision, when Paul Caruana awarded Birkirkara a penalty for an infringement Msida’s defender Sciriha did not commit, to go two goals down with just half an hour gone.

The rest of the damage was done by lethal Michael Galea who scored a brace to condemn the Saints to their fifth consecutive league defeat and leave them reeling at the bottom of the Championship Pool.

By virtue of this win, which was deserving and could have been bigger had they not spurned other chances, and Valletta’s defeat by Marsaxlokk, Birkirkara move into third place, on equal points with the same Valletta.

Msida were at full strength, bolstered by the return of Babatunde, Zongo and Sciriha in their starting line-up. Yet Birkirkara dominated the proceedings for the first 20 minutes, carving some good scoring opportunities and taking the lead after 17 minutes.

The goal came courtesy of a Ciantar corner from the left, played deep for Briffa to cross towards the middle where Michael Galea applied the finish with a perfect flick beyond Borg’s reach.

Birkirkara could have doubled that lead within three minutes. Barbara beat the square Msida defence as the flag did not go up and after grounding the keeper was robbed of the ball by Mifsud and the chance went begging.

Msida’s best chance to draw level fell midway through the half after good work by Zongo on the left. His low cross found Nwoke free but he shot horrendously over the bar.

Past the half hour, referee Caruana’s highly controversial penalty award to Birkirkara brought justified protests from the Msida players as defender Sciriha was clearly seen to have chested the ball on Briffa’s long cross and his hand never made contact with the ball. Yet, after even consulting his assistant Borg, the referee stood firm in his decision and Etienne Barbara converted the spot kick to put his side two goals up.

Msida, who were hard done by the referee’s decision, found the strength to pull a goal back six minutes before the break. Babatunde’s cross fell to the unmarked Daniel Nwoke to tap the ball in from close range.

Msida probed earnestly for an equaliser after the restart and caused several embarrassing moments for the Birkirkara rearguard, only to be denied by the in-form Bledzewski in goal. He was tested by a Zongo low drive which he turned into a corner and then, after Fenech picked up a clearance from outside the area and fired a powerful shot, the Birkirkara keeper was equal to task, tipping the ball over for a corner.

As Msida failed to go past Birkirkara’s defence, the Stripes looked menacing with fast breaks. On 64 minutes Galea played a deft one-two with Barbara before shooting at goal. Borg blocked on the ground and Barbara’s effort on the loose ball was again blocked into a corner.

Babatunde headed Zongo’s cross over but as the game wore on, Msida’s build-ups became the more laborious.

The inclusion of Larrosa and Mifsud Triganza for Birkirkara gave them some much needed freshness and with three minutes remaining, the champions put the issue beyond doubt as Michael Galea’s exquisite strike, with his out step from the right, caught keeper Borg unaware and the ball sailed beyond him at the far post.