A last gasp goal from Nikola Vukanac saved the champions’ blushes yesterday as they just managed to avoid an embarrassing defeat against newcomers Vittoriosa Stars.

It was perhaps a fair result, but no one would have lamented had Vittoriosa won their second match in succession as they proved to be formidable opponents for the still depleted champions.

In fact, Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit once again had a number of players missing. These included Shaun Bajada, Rowen Muscat, Trevor Cilia and Alan Tabone, though the former started as a substitute in the second half.

In the first half, Birkirkara had more of the ball but only on one occasion did they test goalkeeper Simon Agius. They lacked ideas and missed a lot of balls on the edge of their opponents’ area, due to lack of precision in their passes or crosses.

On the other hand, the Stars played a cautious match concentrating on defence and operating in fast breaks which had the Stripes defence working overtime, especially when Ewurum and Compagnoli had the ball at their feet.

Yet it was a poor first half and actions in front of goal were few and far between.

In the second half, there was a little more action with the Stars proving to be more dangerous in attack.

When they took the lead, they played even more cautiously and never allowed the Stripes too much space.

The champions disappointed their followers once again and it seemed obvious that they were a spent force, especially without the services of Trevor Cilia up front.

The match had a quiet start and it was only on the 11th minute that Birkirkara threatened. From a Decesare cross, a Vittoriosa defender mistimed his clearance and Terence Vella missed the ball in front of goal.

At the other end, on 19 minutes, Fraser had to rush out of his charge to clear before Ewurum could cause any damage.

On 28 minutes, the Stars went close through a long distance effort from Jeffrey Chetcuti which went over the bar.

Soon after, at the other end, Lattes bustled his way into the Stars area, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Agius.

On the 36th minute, from a Buhagiar cross, Michael Galea skied the ball from the edge of the area, while at the other end, Compagnoli had an angled shot blocked by an attentive Fraser.

Early in the second half, Leighton Grech had a shot saved by Fraser. At the other end, Fenech brought the best out of Agius who flew across goal to stop a 25-metre humdinger from the Stripes midfielder.

It was on the hour when the Stars took the lead with a splendid goal. Grech received the ball on the right to cross perfectly for J. Santos Silva to first time beautifully into the net.

Ten minutes later, as the Stars started playing with more confidence, it was Compagnoli who lifted his effort just over the bar.

Birkirkara went close to equalising on the 85th minute when a shot from Emiliano Lattesfrom just outside the area hit the post with Agius beaten.

Soon after the Argentine striker had an effort turned to corner by Agius and on the 87th minute, the same player had another effort being turned onto the post by Agius.

Birkirkara insisted and they were rewarded for their efforts in added time when off a Bajada freekick, it was Vukanac who headed past Agius to save a point for the Stripes.

The Stars finished the match in 10 men when substitute Edson Luis Dos Santos was shown the red card by referee Azzopardi after an incident in mid pitch with a Birkirkara defender.

Birkirkara

M. Fraser, R. Scicluna, A. Decesare (T. Paris), J. Zerafa, S. Zahra (S. Bajada), N. Vukanac, T. Vella (K. Pulo), P. Fenech, E. Lattes, M. Galea, A. Buhagiar.

Coach

Paul Zammit

Vittoriosa S.

S. Agius, K. Sammut, S. Pace, J. Chetcuti, C. Compagnoli, D. Cachia, K. Mifsud, J. Santos Silva (C. Micallef), A. Ewurum, S. Wellman, L. Grech (E. dos Santos).

Coach

Winston Muscat

Referee

K. Azzopardi

Asst refs

P. Agius, T. Debono.

4th official

A. Azzopardi

Scorers

J. Santos Silva,

Yellow cards

A. Decesare, S. Zahra, R. Scicluna, P. Fenech,

Red card

E. dos Santos

Best player

J. dos Santos Silva

TMI Top 3

1. J. dos Santos Silva, 2. L. Grech; 3. P. Fenech

Attendance

590.