Balzan Y 0

Birkirkara 4

Birkirkara’s recent crisis to breach opposing defences have been averted, at least for the time being, after shrugging off the tame challenge of neighbours Balzan Youths to lift themselves into fourth place in the standings.

A revitalised Birkirkara side yesterday took a more passionate approach and showed greater strength to halt Balzan’s three-match unbeaten streak

With Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza recruited back from Sliema Wanderers and the return of Shola Shodiya after a long absence, Birkirkara exiled Moises to the bench.

The two combined well in the Stripes’ opening goal after 13 minutes.

Mifsud Triganza provided the cross from the left for Shodiya to run into open space and shoot first time into the top corner.

That put Birkirkara firmly in the driving seat, their assertive start causing alarm in and around the Balzan penalty area.

Their dynamic midfield, thanks to the industry of Fenech, Bajada and Sciberras, almost always got the better of their opponents where Tasic and Deanov were often late on the ball.

Yessous Camilleri, playing wide on the right until Francica’s injury, was often at pains to hold the forages of Jorge Silva, Mifsud Triganza or Shodiya as Birkirkara’s forwards continually exchanged their positions.

Birkirkara cut much of the supply towards Calcado and that made it extremely difficult for Balzan to make any progress.

In fact the Youths only threatened twice on the half hour mark when Eviparker arrived late on Grima’s testing cross and then Deanov’s header on Eviparker’s cross was blocked by keeper Gauci.

On 37 minutes, Bondin’s back pass caught Guga off balance. Silva advanced, played the ball to Mifsud Triganza who was blocked by keeper Matthew Camilleri into a corner. In the action, Balzan’s captain Francica fell awkwardly and had to be substituted after injuring his shoulder.

That forced Balzan to retreat Dylan Grima as Miguel Ciantar went in on the right.

Birkirkara doubled their lead four minutes from the break. Bajada started the move from midfield with a wide pass towards Silva who crossed low for the advancing Mifsud Triganza to hit past helpless keeper Camilleri.

Birkirkara opted to defend their comfortable lead in the second half, although they still remained more potent going forward.

Balzan’s reaction in fact was rather flaccid, only for Tasic to head Clifton Ciantar’s cross over at the start of the half.

On 55 minutes, Silva, put through by Sciberras, beat keeper Camilleri with a low diagonal strike, but as Mifsud Triganza, standing in an offside position, interfered with play, the goal was disallowed.

But there was no denying Birkirkara on 69 minutes. Shodiya, who was allowed too much space inside the Balzan area on the left, crossed low for Jorge Silva to shoot at goal, with keeper Camilleri getting a touch to the ball but failing to hold it from crossing the line.

That sealed the issue for Birkirkara who went on to score their fourth in added time through substitute Michael Camilleri who headed in another perfect Bajada free kick, to leave sorry Balzan licking their wounds.

Balzan Y M. Camilleri, R. Farrugia (B. Bondin), C. Ciantar, B. Guga, Y. Camilleri, J. Francica (M. Ciantar), D. Grima, N. Tasic, P. Calcado, M. Deanov, A. Eviparker (L. Micallef)

Coach I. Zammit

Birkirkara R. Gauci, R. Pereira, G. Sciberras, J. Zerafa, S. Bajada, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (A. Moises), J. Silva, P. Fenech (F. Zammit), S. Shodiya (M. Camilleri), R. Camenzuli, A. Buhagiar

Coach P. Zammit

Referee M. Apap

Asst.refs M. Debono, T. Debono

4th official M. Borg

Scorers S. Shodiya 13, J.P. Mifsud Triganza 41, J. Silva 69, M. Camilleri 90+

Yellow cards J. Francica, C. Ciantar, P. Calcado, R. Camenzuli, J. Zerafa

Player of the match J.P. Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara)

TMI top 3 1. S. Bajada 2. P. Fenech 3. B. Guga

Attendance 826