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

Sliema W: M. Akanji, A. Muscat, I. Azzopardi, B. Said, N. Turner (J. Vella), M. Scerri (S. Pace), A. Da Silva (M. Bartolo), R. Bajada, I. Woods, I. Ciantar, E. Barbara

Referee: J. Attard Asst.refs: P. Agius, C. Micallef 4th official: S. Tanti

Scorers: D.A. Sylla, E. Barbara (2)

Yellow cards: R. Hartvig, E. Barbara, I. Woods

Player of the match: Etienne Barbara (Sliema W)

TMI top three: 1. G. Mallia 2. E. Barbara 3. J. Zerafa

Two goals by their former fiery player Etienne Barbara, damaged Birkirkara’s prospects of keeping up the challenge with leaders Valletta, as the Stripes were defeated by wounded Sliema Wanderers for the first time in two months.

For large parts of a fairly sterile encounter, Birkirkara dominated. Their captain George Mallia ran the show until Etienne Barbara was able to assert his influence with the winning goal four minutes from the end, to halt Sliema’s barren run and recent slump.

Both teams went into this game with different vein of form, separated by a significant eight points before kick-off. Birkirkara, in second place, were unbeaten in six league matches from which they collected 14 points. By contrast, Sliema Wanderers had won only once from their previous six competitive games, including a defeat by Floriana in the U*BET FA trophy last week.

The Wanderers were expected to improve on this dismal record, at least to salvage some pride. Their aim looked undermined by conceding an early goal, with hardly three minutes on the clock. Their defence, already struggling without the suspended Jeffrey Chetcuti, and with Ian Azopardi partnering Said in the centre, was caught cold when Davy Amed Sylla picked up Bajada’s cross from the left and flicked the ball over the body of the onrushing keeper Akanji.

Sliema’s difficulty is that, these days, a one-goal deficit is close to insurmountable and their only reaction was a Muscat tame shot directly on keeper Borg.

After that, and almost the next half hour, the big sleep that threatens Maltese football descended over Ta’Qali on a sunny afternoon.

Then, Birkirkara, who had been basking in their superior ball possession, threatened again when Mallia played forward a good through ball which set Sylla going from midfield. Akanji had to rush off his line to smother the danger.

Birkirkara won two consecutive corners. From the second, taken by Tabone from the left, the entire Sliema defence missed the ball completely but Mifsud Triganza, unattended at the far post, hoisted the ball over the bar.

Lethargic Sliema restored equilibrium on 37 minutes, with two passes that left Birkirkara largely bystanders. Azzopardi’s long ball from midfield was deflected by Muscat with his head towards Etienne Barabara who ran inside the Birkirkara area and placed the ball beyond Borg’s reach.

That equaliser demanded a quick reaction from Birkirkara. Two minutes later, Mifsud Triganza again beat the Wanderers’ vulnerable defence as he chased Mallia’s pass. He was partially foiled by the onrushing Akanji but still won possession on the loose ball, only to have his second effort blocked by Azzopardi.

With half time looming, Hartvig brought down Barbara in half pitch, after the Sliema forward had escaped his marking, and the referee ignored the advantage, stopping play to caution the Birkirkara defender. That brought loud protests from Barbara and Sliema coach Azzopardi. The player was booked, while the coach was sent off from the bench.

The opening minutes of the second half had Birkirkara creating some half chances, going close through Tabone and Bajada, but Akanji made up for a leaky defence in front of him.

Hartvig headed Tabone’s corner wide.

Play was hardly enterprising but the addition of Bartolo for Da Silva, past the hour, gave Sliema another striking option. In fact the Wanderers looked menacing when Woods played a through ball to Barbara inside the area but keeper Borg blocked his shot. Woods twice went close with his shot and curling free kick. In between, Birkirkara effected a double substitution putting in Zahra and Michael Galea for the jaded Tabone and Mifsud Triganza, looking only a peripheral figure.

Although venturing less frequently inside the Sliema area, the Stripes could have gone in front on 83 minutes. But Sylla failed to put enough effort with his header on Mallia’s teasing cross from the right, the ball was partially blocked by Akanji and Zahra skied the loose ball as the best chance went to waste.

With four minutes remaining, Etienne Barbara silenced the Birkirkara fans, who had been booing him for long, when he ran in well for Muscat’s pass to beat the helpless Borg with a diagonal low strike and break Birkirkara’s hearts, as well as their unbeaten run.