Birkirkara-Sliema W. 1-1

Birkirkara extended their unbeaten run to six league matches but had to settle for a draw against Sliema Wanderers, who put up a decent challenge although plagued by many injuries and suspensions.

For large parts of a fairly sterile encounter, Birkirkara dominated but besides being denied by the woodwork in the late stages, the Stripes contrived to miss a penalty through Mifsud Triganza early after the restart as the Sliema keeper Henry Bonello held out his poor effort with the score at 1-1. They still hold to third place in the standings however.

Sliema welcomed back Mark Scerri and Daniel Mitev but were bereft of Trevor Cilia, Rumen Galabov and the still suspended Eyenga. Andrew Decesare played as left back for Beppe Muscat, but limped off just before halftime for Bezzina to take his place. Mitev also failed to turn out in the second half.

Birkirkara had Shodiya suspended and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was given a start instead. Midfielder Paul Fenech was stretchered off after 38 minutes and the Stripes were forced to effect an early substitution.

Both sides made a confident start and there were two goals, one at each end, inside the quarter hour. Sliema forged ahead after ten minutes, when a Fenech corner from the right as headed in by Josef Mifsud from close range. Birkirkara levelled matters five minutes later. Alex Muscat allowed Jorge Silva to turn inside the Sliema area on the left to beat keeper Bonello with an inswinging shot.

There was drama after the resumption when Birkirkara were awarded a penalty on 52 minutes after Mifsud Triganza fell, when blocked by Gatt Baldacchino, as he tried to go through the middle. Keeper Bonello blocked Mifsud Triganza’s low shot to save his second consecutive penalty within a week. Silva shot the loose ball narrowly wide.

A period of dominance by Birkirkara ensued and keeper Bonello saved a Silva header on Zerafa’s cross. Birkirkara however were wasteful in front of goal and Sliema carved out two goal scoring opportunities in as many minutes between the 75 and 77 minutes. Fenech’s delivery of his low cross found Cilia unmarked, but the Sliema substitute miskicked in front of goal. Fenech himself missed an even more glaring chance soon after as he shot Muscat’s low cross feebly on the grounded keeper Gauci.

Sliema almost paid the penalty ten minutes from time, as substitute Camilleri’s cross shot from the right rebounded off the innerside of the bar.

Sliema ended the match with ten men as defender Gatt Baldacchino received marching orders for a second booking after fouling Silva in added time.

Birkirkara: R. Gauci, R. Scicluna, N. Vukanac, J. Zerafa, S. Bajada (M. Camilleri), G. Sciberras, R. Pereira, P. Fenech (R. Muscat), A. Buhagiar, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (R. Camenzuli), J. Silva

Sliema W: H. Bonello, A. Muscat, N. Bogadanovic, J. Mifsud, R. Grech, M. Scerri, D. Mitev (C. Gatt Baldacchino), R. Fenech, A. Decesare (S. Bezzina), J. Ani (T. Cilia), E. Lattes

Referee: M. Spiteri

Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, C. Francalanza

4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: J. Mifsud 10, J. Silva 15

Yellow cards: C. Gatt Baldacchino, R. Pereira, N. Bogdanovic, G. Sciberras

Red card: C. Gatt Baldacchino

Player of the match: Henry Bonello (Sliema W)

TMI top 3: 1. H. Bonello 2. R. Pereira 3. J. Silva