SILVIO VELLA

Not for the first time this season, Marsaxlokk exhibited the resilience of which champions are made, coming back from two goals down to score three times in the final 25 minutes to overcome another stern test from resurgent Birkirkara and open a nine-point lead over Sliema Wanderers who play Valletta this afternoon.

Birkirkara were out to erase the bad memories of a disappointing 6-1 defeat in early March which brought about changes at the Stripes’ helm and nearly succeeded when enjoying a two-goal lead by the hour. They were forced to make a substitution to the injured Monye shortly past the quarter hour, putting in Micallef and drafting Sammut as central defender instead.

The first half was played on a high tempo, as both teams stamped on the gas from the start.

Marsaxlokk were buoyed by their previous success against Hibernians and the return from suspension of skipper Carlo Mamo and Andre Schembri. They could afford to leave Sammut, Sciberras, Doda and Garci on the bench as Gauci kept his place in goal.

In the early stages Marsaxlokk’s threats came mostly from Bogdanovic. He had a shot turned into a corner by keeper Bledzewski and another two efforts going off target. His free-kick after 12 minutes went slightly over the bar.

But Birkirkara made the breakthrough on 14 minutes. Roderick Briffa coolly picked his spot from the edge of the area, after a short defensive clearance by Mamo, and beat keeper Gauci with an exquisite shot at the top right hand corner.

The goal sparked an immediate response from the leaders. Frendo shot Nwoko’s pass narrowly wide and Schembri hooked Nwoko’s pass inside the area but was blocked by the Birkirkara keeper.

On 28 minutes Schembri played the ball low towards Bogdanovic to guide it to the advancing Frendo only to have his effort saved superbly by Bledzewski into a corner. As Marsaxlokk laid siege on their opponents but needed more accuracy, Birkirkara looked menacing on fast breaks. A Barbara drive was footed into a corner by keeper Gauci.

Frendo then went into the Birkirkara area with a resourceful run, played a through ball to Schembri, who outplayed the keeper, sending the ball wide to the unmarked Bogdanovic, whose goalbound effort was blocked on the line.

On the other end Galea was presented with a good ball by Mallia but Gauci blocked his shot as Birkirkara carved yet the best chance before halftime. Mallia’s cross from the left was palmed out by Gauci towards Briffa whose instinctive headed effort was cleared into a corner by Dimech.

The pattern of the game did not change much in the second period as Marsaxlokk kept probing for an equaliser, putting in Sammut for Nwoko on 52 minutes. Pace’s long range shot was repelled by the goalkeeper and on the hour Schembri headed Sammut’s cross off target.

It is however commonplace in football for teams who do not exploit their chances to risk being caught by a counter punch. On 62 minutes keeper Gauci kicked the ball out from a back pass. From the ensuing Birkirkara throw-in, Micallef crossed the ball for Dario Larrosa to tower himself and beat Gauci with a glancing header at the far post.

But Marsaxlokk’s resilience was brought to the fore as they neutralised a two-goal deficit within five minutes. On 65 minutes Frendo played in a low cross for Andre Schembri to toe-poke the ball beyond Bledzewski’s reach and on 70 minutes Daniel Bogdanovic headed in Sammut’s cross from the right to restore equilibrium.

On 77 minutes Schembri was stopped by two opponents inside the area, Pullicino thumped the loose ball against the bar and Bledzewski saved Bogdanovic’s effort on the rebound. Marsaxlokk brought in Garci as Birkirkara drafted in Ciantar.

And to make this game the more eventful, referee Lautier limped off with a pulled muscle seven minutes from normal time, forcing the fourth official Kevin Azzopardi to take over the control of the match.

Marsaxlokk’s promptings and desire to win this match paid dividends with two minutes remaining as Andre Schembri controlled the ball inside the area and beat Bledzewski with a shot on the turn. The winning goal was the perfect reward for an impressive display of energy, courage and commitment from the leaders, as they continue with their triumphant march towards a deserved first title.

* * *

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

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, L. Dimech, M. Licari, C. Frendo (S. Garci), J. Pace, U. Nwoko (K. Sammut), D. Bogdanovic, A. Schembri, C. Magro, P. Pullicino

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

Scorers: R. Briffa, D. Larrosa, A. Schembri (2), D. Bogdanovic

Yellow cards: K. Sammut

Player of the match: Andre Schembri (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top three: 1. A. Schembri 2. D. Bogdanovic 3. R. Sammut