Birkirkara 2
Balzan Youths 1
Birkirkara returned to winning form yesterday evening as they beat a fighting Balzan side by the odd goal in three.
It was a come-from-behind win for the Stripes who trailed their opponents 1-0 at the interval. Then the rain arrived and the Stripes finally found their scoring touch to turn defeat into a victory.
It was a deserved victory for Paul Zammit’s side which dominated for at least 75 minutes of the match. In fact, apart from the goal, Balzan never again really tested goalkeeper Canovic and it was only in the final five minutes that they insisted on attack in the vain hope of snatching a late equaliser which, however, never materialised.
In the first half, Balzan surprised everyone by taking the lead. After that, it was mostly Birkirkara who exercised territorial superiority as they were in search of an equaliser.
The Youths defended grimly and in numbers, but with the Stripes lacking clear ideas, they did not encounter many anxious moments, although on two occasions, it had to be goalie Camilleri who saved their fort.
In the second half, Birkirkara came out determined to reverse the deficit and soon managed to equalise.
The match followed the same pattern of the first half with the Stripes enjoying the lion’s share of the attacking and it had to be the Youths goalie Camilleri to keep them at par, before he succumbed a second time to a splendid Avila Perez goal.
It was the Stripes who threatened first on four minutes through Terence Vella who, alone in front of Camilleri, saw his effort turned to corner.
At the other end, immediately after, it was Balzan who opened the scoring when in a swift counter-attack, it was Kris Bright who beat Canovic with a low shot after being set by Dylan Grima.
On the 15th minute, Dos Santos Calcado tested Canovic direct from a corner. The Serbian goalie pushed the ball sideways with some difficulty.
Birkirkara replied with a fine incursion by Zerafa with his low cross being turned into a corner by the Youths’ defence.
A Pereira freekick on the 24th minute was saved by Camilleri and moments later, it was Fenech who set Avila, but the latter’s shot went wide.
On 37 minutes, Birkirkara went close to equalising. From a Zerafa cross, Fenech brought the best out of Camilleri. From the rebound, Avila hit well over the bar. Soon after from a Vella cross, Avilaagain went close with a header that went just wide.
Birkirkara equalised five minutes into the second half when off a cross by Trevor Cilia, it was Fenech who beat Camilleri from close in.
Two minutes later, Camilleri was the protagonist as he saved a shot from Avila after a fine Birkirkara move.
Birkirkara took the lead with a splendid goal on the 68th minute. From an Angus Buhagiar cross, Moises Avila Perez found the net with a beautiful scissors kick which had Camilleri beaten all ends up.
Bright missed a good chance to equalise for Balzan on the 72nd minute. From a Santos Calcado freekick, he failed to connect in front of goal.
Birkirkara remained in control till the end even when Balzan insisted on attack in the final five minutes.
Birkirkara: A. Canovic, T. Cilia (A. DeCesare), G. Sciberras, D. Perisic, J. Zerafa, A. Buhagiar, R. Muscat (R. Camenzuli), P. Fenech, R. Pereira, T. Vella (A. Tabone), M. Avila Perez.
Coach: P. Zammit
Balzan Y.: M. Camilleri, R. Farrugia (L. Micallef), B. Guga, J. Francica, R. Forace, Y. Camilleri, N. Tasic (LF Fernandes), D. Grima, P. dos Santos Calcado, K. Bright, M. Ciantar (D. Fenech).
Coach: I. Zammit
Referee: M. Borg.
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, D. Sultana,
4th official: F. Zammit.
Scorers: K. Bright 5, P. Fenech 50, M. Avila Perez 68,
Yellow cards: B. Guga, D. Perisic, J. Francica, A. Buhagiar,
Player of the match: M. Avila (Birkirkara)
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Avila, 2. P. Fenech, 3. K. Bright.