Birkirkara 2

Valletta 2

Birkirkara managed to earn a point from this game after Valletta had built what looked like a healthy 2-0 lead.

The game was very entertaining with both sides trying out their very best. Referee Emmanuel Grech had good control of the proceedings by cleverly applying the advantage clause on many occasions.

The Stripes were the first to threaten. Bernard Borg released Ryan Micallef on the right flank and City keeper Luke Pecorella neutralised the ball from his cross-shot.

Valletta’s reaction was very immediate. From a well-taken flag kick by Kurt Drakary, the ball was partly cleared and Daniel Camilleri drove over the bar from the rebound.

After Leon Gauci was fouled on the left flank, the same player floated a high ball in the area and Llewlynn Cremona drove over the bar.

Mohammed Zaurouq then served Cremona in the area and Stripes keeper Dylan Galea denied him with a diving save.

In another action by Birkirkara, Ryan Micallef dribbled past an opponent on the right flank who then crossed the ball in the area but there were no takers to apply the killer touch.

Four minutes before the break Valletta forged ahead when Cremona served Drakary in the area who scored with a low diagonal shot.

The first two actions after the restart were created by Birkirkara. Ryan Micallef was fouled on the right flank and Pecorella saved the free kick by the same player and Bernard Borg served substitute Kurt Zammit in the area but Pecorella denied him with a diving save.

Valletta doubled the score in the 48th minute with a choral move between three players. Dario Zampa served Zaurouq on the left flank who then crossed to Cremona in the area, the latter finding the net with a low shot.

The Citizens resumed with their pressing. Brandon Grech released Zaurouq on the left flank and he drove slightly over the bar from the edge of the area.

Zampa then served Dean Grech with a cross from the right and Galea saved his shot with a diving save to a corner.

Later, substitute Ian Montanaro received the ball from a long drop kick by Pecorella, entered the area and Galea saved his shot in two attempts.

Two minutes before the end Birkirkara reduced the gap when Kurt Zammit pounced on a faulty goalkick and after entering the area he scored with a low shot.

Hardly a minute later the score became 2-2 as the same player served Leon Zammit with a through ball who entered the area and scored with a low shot with the ball passing between Pecorella’s legs.

Referee: Emmanuel Grech

Player of the match: Ryan Micallef (Birkirkara)