SILVIO VELLA

John Buttigieg’s resurgent Birkirkara yesterday put leaders and favourites Sliema Wanderers to the sword with some quality efficiency, recording their second Premier League win in succession. Their performance, recapturing the spirit of buoyance after so many changes in their squad, suggests that they cannot be overlooked so early for the title challenge.

Sliema suffered two first half goals, the first conceded this season, and never recovered as they were doomed to their first defeat and put their true potential in some doubt.

Despite their abundant talent and general dominance, Sliema lost this game. In the second half, the Wanderers tried practically everything to pierce Birkirkara’s blanket defence, but efforts were futile.

Both coaches effected some changes from their previous outings. Sliema had the injured Muscat missing and Pace relegated to the bench. Chetcuti played as central defender alongside Said as Ciantar and Bajada were given a start.

Keeper Omar Borg made his first appearance in the Birkirkara goal this season. New recruit Marceline Tamboulas also made his debut as the Stripes’ third foreigner, playing wide on the flank, while Roderick Sammut started the match. Anasatsi and Lombardi were dropped from the starting line-up.

Roderick Briffa and Etienne Barbara were facing their former team and received a very hostile reception from the Birkirkara fans.

Both teams kicked-off with attacking intent as their present form befits. But the first quarter hour produced very little of real goalmouth action.

The game’s first chance fell to Birkirkara when Michael Galea’s pace took him past Said. His diagonal shot was saved superbly by keeper Akanji, stretching himself to turn the ball into a corner.

Birkirkara forged ahead after 21 minutes as the irrepressible Tamboulas sparked the movement for the goal on the break. He surged down the right flank, sent a cutting cross for the unchallenged Michael Galea to shoot in from close range.

Birkirkara were bolstered as they helped themselves towards ascendancy.

Sliema, despite showing the inclination to go forward, rarely found the co-ordination and penetration to disturb the Birkirkara goal.

The Wanderers succumbed to the second goal two minutes from the break. Michael Galea headed Bajada’s corner kick against the bar and as Akanji palmed out the rebound, Ron Hartvig was quick to shoot in the loose ball.

On the stroke of half-time, Barbara’s shot from the edge of the area was held out by the cross bar with Borg beaten.

Sliema substituted Chetcuti with Bartolo for the second half, playing with only three players at the back. They pressed Birkirkara inside their own half, raking numerous crosses and winning several corner, to keep their opponents under pressure.

Bajada’s cross shot from the right took a wicked deflection but keeper Borg was up to task to turn the ball into a corner.

With Birkirkara seemingly abandoning their sense of attack to defend their lead, Sliema found it the more difficult to score as the match wore on into a boring affair with a definite lack of quality and excitement.

Seven minutes from time, Michael Galea could have increased Birkirkara’s lead when put through by substitute Paris, but Akanji denied hi with a good reflex save.

Not even Anonam’s inclusion served any purpose for Sliema as they fell to their ill fate and the first league defeat which now drops them down the standings, behind Floriana and the same Birkirkara.

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Sliema W: M. Akanji, I.Azzopardi, B. Said, N. Milovanovic, R. Bajada, J. Chetcuti (M. Bartolo), I. Woods, I. Ciantar, A. Madzar (O. Anonam), R. Briffa, E. Barbara

Birkirkara: O Borg, L Galea, R. Sammut (L. Lombardi), P. Fenech, M. Galea (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), A. Tabone, R. Hartvig, S. Bajada, M. Tamboulas (T.Paris), G. Mallia, E. Yanchev

Referee: C. Lautier Asst. refs: M. Debono, E. Spiteri 4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: M. Galea, R. Hartvig

Yellow cards: A. Madzar, G. Mallia, R. Bajada, R. Briffa, O. Anonam

Player of the match: Michael Galea (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. S. Bajada, 2. R. Bajada, 3. P. Fenech