St. George’s 0

Birzebbuga SP 2

Birzebbuga scored a goal in each half to move to safer waters as they pushed their opponents in deep relegation trouble.

It was a deserved victory for Birzebbuga in a boring match which only came to life with the two great goals scored by the winners, the first by Mead Mifsud with an overhead kick with the second one scored late in the game by Schneider direct from a freekick.

The Saints slumped to their tenth defeat of the season and were pathetic to say the least. De Azevedo had some good runs in the first minutes but gradually faded away. The inclusion of a spent out Ruiz did not help matters much and Heatcliff Schembri was employed as a striker with negative results.

The first half never reached high standard and was played at a very slow pace. Birzebbuga had more of the ball but St. George’s had their first attempt when De Azevedo penetrated on the left flank but his effort from an acute angle hit the side netting.

Birzebbuga took the lead on 23 minutes. Kevin Borg did all the spadework on the left flank and from the bye line crossed towards Mead Mifsud who scored with a well executed overhead kick.

The Saints had a good reaction but they were not really dangerous in front of Casha. However the Birzebbuga custodian was called in action to save a De Azevedo header and a Heathcliff Schembri scorcher from the edge of the area.

At the start of the second period Birzebbuga had the first shot at goal through Ronnie Celeste but his effort was completely off target.

The Saints enjoyed the lions’ share in the second period but although pushing the opponents in their own area, Ivan Casha was practically never called in action.

Birzebbuga could have closed the match half way through the second half with Saints goalkeeper Marmara charging out of position to block Celeste following a Marev cross from the left flank.

Minutes later Marmara failed to grasp a harmless Schneider freekick but luckily for him the ball missed the upright by inches.

Two minutes from time Birzebbuga put the issue beyond doubt with a second goal. It was Frantisek Schneider who fired home direct from a freekick with the ball finishing in the top corner of the net.

Seconds later the same Schneider was sent off for dissent.

St. George’s: R. Marmara, A. Abela, D. Zahra, L. Dos Santos, N. Curmi, E. Amaira (E. Sevasta), H. Schembri, K. Grech (A. Mercieca), D. Zarb, G. Inguanez, W. De Azevedo (J. Ruiz).

Birzebbuga: I. Casha, K.Spiteri (M. Pullicino), K. Borg, F. Schneider, D. Baldacchino, L. Grima, G. Tanti (P. Camilleri), M. Gabriel, M. Mifsud, M. Sciortino (B. Marev), R. Celeste.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri