A draw was a fair result in this game as both teams had their good moments. Following this game Paola H are in fifth position on 28 points from 16 games while the Stripes lie fifth from bottom on 25 points from 17 games.

Few were the actions worthy of note in a balanced first period. Paola H were the first to threaten as Yan Cauchi, after beating a defender served Jean P Farrugia in the area but he drove slightly over the bar.

Birkirkara soon reacted when Christian Gatt served Brincat in the area and Hibs keeper Daniel Balzan partially saved his shot and the ball was somehow cleared. At the other end, Nicholas Bezzina served Cauchi in the area but he was foiled from progressing by a timely tackle by Massimo Chircop.

Birkirkara forged ahead in the 16th minute: Kelvin Caruana served Brincat with a perfect through ball in the area who after beating a defender scored with a low shot and nine minutes later they doubled the score through Christian Gatt who shot in the rebound after Balzan had partially saved a Brincat shot.

As in the first period few were the actions worthy of note after the re-start. In the 42nd minute Paola H reduced the gap: Yan Cauchi was fouled on the left flank of the area and Triston Caruana scored direct from the resultant free kick and three minutes later they managed to equalise, as Dylan Sammut, after beating a defender, served Nicholas Bezzina in the area who shot past Francica.

The Stripes created their only occasion in the 65th minute when Gatt served Brincat in the area and Balzan saved his shot in two attempts with great difficulty, and from then on all the actions came from Paola H.

Sammut served substitute Christ Cassar who saw his shot hit the base of the upright. Francica then saved a header by Cassar after a Bezzina cross and in the last action before the end Cauchi was fouled on the left flank of the area and from the free kick by Triston Caruana, Francica truned the ball to corner.

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Player of the match: Triston Caruana (Paola H).