Birkirkara 3
Tarxien R. 1
Tarxien R: N. Vella, C. Mamo, E. Pereira, S. Giglio, A. Carabott (O. Anonam), R. Costa, J. Nzinga Mayasi, K. Pulo (D. Bueno), M. Tanti, R. Mintoff, L. Galea
Coach: P. Curmi
Birkirkara: R. Gauci, R. Scicluna, N. Vukanac, J. Zerafa, G. Sciberras, S. Bajada, R. Pereira (M. Camilleri), J.P. Mifsud Triganza (R. Camenzuli), S. Shodiya (A. Moises), A. Buhagiar, J. Silva
Coach: P. Zammit
Referee: C. Lautier
Asst.refs: W. Debattista, C. Francalanza
4th official: T. Farrugia Cann
Scorers: J. Silva 3, S. Bajada 40, 48, D. Bueno 80
Yellow cards: R. Pereira, S. Giglio, G. Sciberras
Player of the match: Shaun Bajada
TMI top 3: 1.S. Bajada 2. J. Silva 3. R. Costa
Birkirkara were back in the groove after their reverse against Valletta the previous week. Helped by an early opener and a second before halftime, the Stripes made sure with a third soon after the resumption to dispose of Tarxien Rainbows, in a match they did not need to break sweat.
They move into fourth place with 32 points as they continue to make undulating progress towards consolidating a Championship Pool berth, having to play their last match in this second round against Hamrun Spartans.
Birkirkara, who had Paul Fenech among the substitutes, moved Bajada in midfield with Ryan Scicluna starting in defence.
Tarxien, who had been given a win against Marsaxlokk after their lodged protest, were unable to lift the gloom that has settled into their side this season. Although they competed in a gutsy way in the first half, they were mostly bystanders in the second, after conceding the third goal and never looked able to recover, although they got some scant consolation with a late goal.
The Rainbows had Justin Grioli suspended and exiled Orosco Anonam to the bench, giving the nod to Stefan Giglio and Mark Tanti.
An early goal paved the way for Birkirkara’s success as the Stripes forged ahead after three minutes. Jorge Silva advanced from the left on Bajada’s pass and beat keeper Vella with a low diagonal drive.
Tarxien tried to regroup and dusted themselves from that early setback when Costa tested keeper Gauci with a low shot and on the quarter hour, the Brazilian put Mayasi clear on the right but the latter’s shot missed the target.
On 20 minutes, Pulo’s dangerous corner from the left was cleared with some difficulty by the Birkirkara defence.
Birkirkara still looked menacing going forward. Midway through the half Silva went inside the Tarxien area from the right with alarming ease and crossed low but the unmarked Mifsud Triganza messed up his shot from a promising position.
Towards the half hour, Tarxien defender Galea pushed Mifsud Triganza inside the area, on Bajada’s cross, to concede a penalty. But keeper Vella blocked well Shodiya’s shot from the spot and the chance went to waste.
Birkirkara still managed to double their lead before the half was over though. Shaun Bajada played one-two with Shodiya before beating keeper Vella with a low strike.
Bajada again put the issue beyond doubt within three minutes of the second half. He ghosted inside the Tarxien area from the right to connect well to Mifsud Triganza’s cutting cross and score his side’s third.
Tarxien, who had effected a double substitution during the interval, putting in Anonam and Bueno, were rattled and unable to muscle their opponents.
Birkirkara were forced to substitute the injured Shodiya on 74 minutes before Tarxien, deservingly, hit a consolation goal ten minutes from time. Daniel Bueno headed Costa’s cross from the left past keeper Gauci. But that served only for statistical purposes.