Birkirkara-Valletta 0-1

Valletta defender Josef Mifsud scored a goal of immeasurable importance yesterday to lift his side further up the standings, on equal points with Hibernians, Hamrun Spartans and the same Birkirkara.

It was an important win for the Citizens although they had to labour hard to fend Birkirkara’s second half onslaught, which provided the game’s better fare.

Birkirkara deserved something better for all their second half efforts but failed miserably in their finishing despite the many chances they carved out.

Neither side was at full strength with Birkirkara missing Tambouras and Michael Galea and Valletta bereft of Claude Mattocks, and of course the still injured Gilbert Agius. Grioli and Scicluna started instead of Bondin and Forace. Ian Zammit went in as a second half substitute.

The first quarter hour produced none of the excitement we had been expecting from the revivalist fervour about both these popular teams, currently lagging behind the leading duo.

Valletta forged ahead after 17 minutes as Birkirkara’s keeper Borg failed to cut Giglio’s cross from the left and Josef Mifsud went up to head in from close range.

The goal galvanized the Citizens, putting them firmly in command.

Past the half hour though, Birkirkara went close to drawing level when Mallia headed Lino Galea’s cross narrowly wide.

On the other end, Temile could not get his foot to Monetserolo’s inviting low cross, after being put through by Giglio, and Valletta’s chance to increase their lead went begging.

With the Stripes mounting some late pressure before halftime, Mallia squandered another good opportunity, heading Bajada’s cross feebly in the keeper’s safe hands when alone in front of goal.

Birkirkara stepped up a gear after the break. Mifsud Triganza’ shot on the turn was deflected into a corner and then Backhus headed Bajada’s effort into a corner. From the ensuing corner kick, Hartvig thumped his firm header against the bar. Suddenly the balance of power had shifted dramatically in Birkirkara’s favour with Bajada and Galea becoming increasingly influential. Fenech shot a Valletta short clearance wide on 52 minutes.

Valletta tried to counter with Temile’s pacy runs as the match suddenly came to life. Mifsud Trigaza lacked co-ordination in front of goal, on Bajada’s testing cross from left.

On 66 minutes, Giglio made way for Keith Fenech. Valletta needed a workhorse in midfield, while Birkirkara needed a goal poacher to finish the job.

On 75 minutes Galea’s rasping grounder went tantalisingly wide as Birkirkara mounted more pressure. Efforts by Mifsud Triganza failed to find the target as Valletta held on to their slim lead with some stout, even if at times frantic, defending.

The match degenenerated into a bad tempered affair.

In the dying minutes, Monesterolo even clipped the bar with his drive but that would have been too flattering for Valletta who were still leading by that Mifsud goal at the end.

Birkirkara: O. Borg, L. Galea, P. Fenech, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, A. Tabone, R. Hartwig, L. Lombardi (R. Sammut), S. Bajada (J. Zerafa), G. Mallia, A. Ciantar (M. Anastasi), E. Yanchev

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli, J. Mifsud, K. Scicluna, S. Bezzina, D. Falzon (I. Zammit), D. Camilleri, H. Backhaus, F. Temile, S. Giglio (K. Fenech), S. Monesterolo

Referee: C. Lautier asst.refs: P. Agius, J. Camilleri 4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: J. Mifsud

Yellow cards: H. Backhaus, J. Mifsud, A. Hogg, S. Monesterolo, E. Yanchev, I. Zammit

Player of the match: Frank Temile (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. L. Galea 2. S. Bezzina 3. S. Bajada