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

Pieta H: M. Vella, C. Cassar, B. Sciberras (R. Galabov), S. Ciscaldi (S. Grech), C. Pulo, R. Refalo (M. Vella), S. Kondev, D. Mifsud, E. Herrera, R. Camilleri, F. Sulas

Referee: A. Arciola asst.refs: K. Borg, A. Camilleri 4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: A. Sylla, R. Hartvig

Yellow cards: D. Mifsud, S. Kondev, E. Herrera, J.P. Mifsud Triganza

Player of the match: Alan Tabone (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. J.P. Mifsud Triganza 2. A. Tabone 3. S. Kondev

In a game that was a cruise not a contest, Birkirkara won comfortably against Pieta Hotspurs, without even having to stir themselves.

For Birkirkara this was an opportunity to regain some form after a disappointing 3-1 defeat by Marsaxlokk last week and they revelled in the task of exposing the frailties of their frankly lamentable opponents, who have now gone five matches without a win, scoring a goal in each half and fluffing several other opportunities to collect three important points which take them past Hibernians on the 22-point mark.

Pieta were poor overall. Offered little protection by their midfield, the back four were quite a distance off the pace and only a slice of good luck save them from further derision.

They were also impotent in attack and coach Busuttil must now hope they rediscover their scoring touch quickly or tougher times surely lie ahead.

Pieta reshuffled their side after their defeat by Hamrun, making no less than six changes. Their starting line-up included only Kondev among their foreigners as Deliminkov was released earlier in the week and Galabov was relegated to the bench, alongside Mc Kay and Grech. Quilin Refalo was suspended while Deanov was not included in the squad.

By contrast, Birkirkara did not change much from last week. Lino Galea returned in defence instead of Zerafa while Sylla started the match as Anastasi was among the substitutes.

Vastly superior to their opponents, Birkirkara dominated the proceedings for most of the first 45 minutes and could have taken a bigger lead by halftime than the one goal scored by Ahmed Sylla towards the half hour as he rose unmolested to head in Galea’s deep cross from the left.

But the goal apart, Pieta’s rearguard ran through several uncomfortable moments as Birkirkara mounted sustained pressure with their pace and power up front.

In the early stages, Mifsud Triganza’s shot skidded off the keeper’s arms into a corner.

Hartvig went close with his free header on a Bajada corner and midway through the half, Mifsud Triganza created space for Fenech to shoot at goal, the ball deflected into a corner by Herrera.

Birkirkara kept up the initiative after taking the lead. Fenech’s shot was held out by keeper Vella and on 42 minutes the Pieta custodian fumbled a high ball which was headed by Mifsud Triganza but Camilleri cleared on the line.

On the stroke of halftime Vella brought off a good save on Tabone’s meaty free kick from the left.

The pattern of the game did not change much after the resumption. Birkirkara kept carving one chance after another as Pieta struggled to keep them at bay.

The Stripes were denied by the woodwork after only three minutes of the second half, holding out another Tabone powerful free kick.

But there was no denying Birkirkara on 57 minutes as Ronnie Hartvig beat keeper Vella with a glancing header on a Tabone free kick from the left. Hardly three minutes later, Sylla volleyed Mifsud Triganza’s cross slightly over the bar.

With the points virtually secured, Birkirkara eased off, effected all three substitutions and continued to knock around the ball with training ground easiness, bringing some yawns to the few scores still present at Kordin.