Birkirkara 2

Valletta 2

Yesterday’s top clash between the champions and the current league leaders ended all square in front of a fairly sized crowd at Ta’ Qali.

In an entertaining match, Birkirkara showed character to fight back to earn a point, while Valletta figured in another draw against a top team, after obtaining a similar result against Hibernians.

The result means that Valletta remain on top on eight points, one point ahead of the Stripes, who now have seven.

For the first time this season, Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit had almost all the players at his disposal, but quite unfortunately, midway through the first half, he had to renounce to two top midfielders in the form of Shaun Bajada and Rowen Muscat, both carried off injured.

On the other hand, Jesmond Zerafa fielded his typical formation.

In the first half, Valletta were a superior outfit as Birkirkara appeared to play a very cautious game, operating on the counter-break.

The citizens roared and raged round the Birkirkara fort where Bartolo excelled and kept his team in the game before the Stripes took the lead against the run of play.

But Valletta were hardly shocked as it took them only two minutes to equalise and a few minutes later they also took the lead.

The citizens dominated midfield with Denni Rocha dos Santos, Kevin Sammut and Jamie Pace moving with purpose and creating good openings for Temile and Scerri.

Moreover when Birkirkara attacked, the City defence always emerged on top, except on one occasion - on the occasion of the Stripes goal.

In the second half Birkirkara improved beyond recognition and went out in search of an equaliser. But they had to wait till 10 minutes from time – and after Valletta had missed a penalty - to get their due reward. And what a goal it was.

In this half, Valletta were a subdued lot and at times they appeared to be struggling to contain the lively Birkirkara strikers.

Considering everything, it was a fair result, but if Valletta took the chances which came their way in the first half they would have finished winners.

But Birkirkara have to thank goalkeeper Manwel Bartolo for this point. Had it not been for his fine saves in the first half, they would have surely left Ta’ Qali empty-handed yesterday.

Bartolo was already in evidence on the second minute as a lapse by the Birkirkara defence allowed Jamie Pace a good chance, but the shot was turned to corner by the agile Birkirkara goalie. Three minutes later Pace again tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the area, but it went just over.

Valletta insisted and on eight minutes, a Temile shot was deviated just over the bar to a corner.

On 16 minutes it was Valletta again. Denni Rocha dos Santos set Terence Scerri in the area, but the latter’s grounder was saved by the diving Bartolo.

Moments later, the Birkirkara goalie rushed out of his charge to block on Scerri. He also saved the City striker’s rebound from the edge of the area.

With Shaun Bajada replaced by Simon Zahra and while Rowen Muscat was being stretchered off the field, the 10-man Stripes struck to take the lead. It was the 24th minute when Michael Galea won a ball in three quarters pitch and beautifully set up Trevor Cilia in the area. The latter made no mistake with a low shot.

The Stripes joy was, however, shortlived as Valletta equalised two minutes later. Kevin Sammut received a cross from the left and his shot beat Bartolo all ends up.

On the 30th minute, a fine interchange of passes between Sammut and Rocha dos Santos ended with the latter’s shot being saved by Bartolo.

On 34 minutes, a Lattes good cross was only just missed by Galea in front of goal.

Valletta deservedly took the lead on 38 minutes. From a Kevin Sammut freekick, the ball was headed out, but there was Jamie Pace to fire the ball home from close in.

And on the 43rd minute, it was Scerri who had a low, angled shot going across the face of goal.

Birkirkara went on attack at the start of the second half, but it was Valletta who threatened first when Denni dos Santos set Scerri in the area: the latter, however, hit the side rigging.

On the 62nd minute Cilia tested Hogg with a fine dipper and at the other end, Bartolo again denied Valletta’s Scerri as the latter dashed into the area.

On the 64th minute, Valletta should have extended their lead when they were awarded a penalty after Denni Rocha dos Santos was floored by Paul Fenech. But Bartolo kept the Stripes in contention by saving the Brazilian’s weak and central effort.

Birkirkara appealed in vain for a penalty when Galea appeared to have been pulled back by Caruana in the area, but Mr Sant waved play on.

Birkirkara went close to an equaliser on 71 minutes when Buhagiar set Zahra in the area, but the latter’s shot went agonisingly close. Minutes later, Galea’s effort went wide.

The Stripes’ efforts were rewarded on the 79th minute with an equaliser. Galea squared the ball for Trevor Cilia who netted with a beauty of a shot rarely seen locally.

Till the end, neither side threatened to score again as both appeared happy with the sharing of the spoils.

Birkirkara M. Bartolo, J. Zerafa, N. Vukanac, R. Harding, P. Fenech, T. Cilia (T. Paris), R. Muscat (T. Vella), E. Lattes, S. Bajada (S. Zahra), M. Galea, A. Buhagiar.

Coach P. Zammit.

Valletta A. Hogg, S. Borg, J. Caruana, L. Ramon dos Santos, R. Briffa (E. Agius), J. Pace, T. Ominigho (D. Falzon), K. Sammut, D. Rocha dos Santos (I. Zammit), T. Scerri, I. Azzopardi. Coach J. Zerafa.

Referee A M Sant

Ass. Refs P. Agius, J. Camilleri

4th Official A. Azzopardi

Scorers T. Cilia 24 79, K. Sammut 26,

J.Pace 38

Yellow cards A. Buhagiar, J. Zerafa, I. Zammit, A. Hogg, P. Fenech, J. Pace

Best Player T. Cilia

TMI Top 3 1. M. Bartolo 2. T. Cilia 3. J. Pace

Attendance 3,823