Birkirkara 2

Marsaxlokk 0

Birkirkara: M. Bartolo, I. Babatunde (T. Vella), R. Muscat, P. Borg, A. Decesare (K. Pulo), A. Agius, J. Zerafa, N. Vukanac, E. Lattes, M. Galea (R. Scicluna), T. Cilia

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, M. Licari, C. Mamo, R. Galabov, C. Brincat, T. Templemann, F. Raimy (E. Yanchev), G. Sciberras, M. Deanov (G. Caruana), A. Effiong (R. Darmanin), J. Alcorse

Referee: M. Borg Asst. refs: M. Debono, J. Camilleri 4th official: M. Apap

Scorers: E. Lattes 6, M. Galea 13

Yellow cards: N. Vukanac, A. Decesare, J. Zerafa

Player of the match: E. Lattes

TMI top 3: 1. E. Lattes 2. G. Sciberras 3. A. Agius

Birkirkara kept their chances for a runners-up spot alive and kicking after beating Marsaxlokk in a match they completely dominated after taking an early two-goal cushion.

With two points separating the two, their final match against Floriana should be decisive before meeting the same opponents in the FA Trophy semi-final.

Besides Paul Fenech, Birkirkara also had Angus Buhagiar suspended for this match. They gave a start to Michael Galea, who played behind the two wide players Ibrahim Babatunde and Emiliano Lattes. Trevor Cilia retreated on the right to fill Buhagiar’s role, with Andrei Agius and Rowen Muscat the two holding midfielders.

On the other hand, Marsaxlokk failed to recover from the drubbing against Tarxien Rainbows the previous week and were unable to put up a decent challenge yesterday, thus bidding farewell to their chances of at least finishing in third place which might have also guaranteed them playing in the Europa League next season.

Marsaxlokk’s coach Patrick Curmi demed it fit to make some changes in his starting line-up. Andrew Spiteri made way for the returning Carlo Mamo as left back and with Yanchev relegated to the bench, Galabov retreated at the back and Templeman played in midfield. Julio Alcorse was given a start alongside Effiong in attack.

Marsaxlokk were stunned by two Birkirkara goals before the first quarter hour.

On six minutes Emiliano Lattes picked the ball from the edge of the area and beat keeper Gauci with his shot at the top corner.

With the wind behind their backs, Birkirkara doubled their lead seven minutes later. Decesare played the ball square to Michael Galea who beat Gauci again with an exquisite left foot drive.

Birkirkara remained firmly in command although they eased down a bit as Marsaxlokk were unable to make a reaction. An Agius header off a Lattes cross was saved into a corner by the Marsaxlokk keeper. Lattes shot his free kick narrowly wide past the half hour and then Agius shot over from an inviting Babatunde pass.

Marsaxlokk could rarely venture into enemy territory during the first half and their only threat came after 19 minutes when Alcorse’s header on an Effiong cross was saved by keeper Bartolo.

Marsaxlokk fluffed two good chances at the start of the second half which could have put them back in the reckoning.

On 53 minutes Raimy’s cross fell to the unattended Alcorse who had all the time in the world, but he shot straight on keeper Bartolo and the chance went to waste.

Past the hour, Effiong ran clear down the right but was again blocked by keeper Bartolo.

Darmanin went in for Effiong and Birkirkara substituted Decesare and Galea with Pulo and Scicluna as they defended their lead with minimal difficulty.

The Stripes threatened again on 75 minutes through the volatile Lattes whose run ended with a grounder, saved by the outstretched Gauci.