Birkirkara 4

Melita 0

Despite all their gallantry and goodwill, Melita were left to assess the damage after suffering the biggest defeat of the weekend on Day 1 of the new league season and gave a glimpse of things to come for them in the top flight.

The more experienced, but at times profligate, Birkirkara opened the floodgates in the second period, scoring three times to make their win more emphatic, after having breached Melita’s defence once in the first half. In true fact, it could have been more, were it not for the superlative goalkeeping of Karl Zahra, who despite defeat, ended as his side’s hero.

Birkirkara are quite a changed side this season, with the departures of Leighton Grech, Shaun Bajada, Terence Vella, Jorge Silva and Perreira moving out in the summer. Their replacements include Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza, Brazilian midfielder Joselito, who scored a brace yesterday, and U21 international Zach Muscat, who all started yesterday, but another newcomer, Brazilian Jhonatthan, went in only as a late substitute and scored one of the goals.

Although still early, one cannot gauge the Stripes’ potential against the calibre of Premier Legue newcomers Melita, whose amateur status permitted them only to sign Portuguese defender Rudi Alhinho and Spanish forward Jose Louis Negrin as their new foreigners.

With Gareth Sciberras mostly involved in his side’s build-ups and having an early low drive going inches wide, Birkirkara took only eight minutes to break the deadlock. That came from a Joselito central free kick fromn outside the area, with keeper Karl Zahra arriving late on the flight of the ball.

Many expected a goal deluge but, to their credit, Melita kept fighting gamely, chasing their opponents and trying to close gaps at the back. Although they rarely ventured into enemy territory, they moved as a unit, with speed and aggression.

Towards the half hour Mifsud Triganza crossed low for Fenech to hit in but the goal was disallowed for a handling infringement by Sciberras in the process. Mifsud Triganza had his effort hoofed out by Gribbon with the keeper beaten, but Zahra recovered in time to block Sciberras’ goal bound effort. Mifsud Triganza even clipped the bar with his effort on 35 minutes.

For all their dominance and possession, Birkirkara were unable to add to their tally as they were being frustrated time and again by keeper Zahra. He blocked Mendoza’s header from a corner and then repelled Shodiya’s shot from the rebound.

It was still 1-0 at halftime.

Melita effected a double substitution at the start of the second period, putting in Kane Micallef and Simon Galea and as they were demonstrating more confidence on the ball, they succumbed to concede Birkirkara’s second goal on 52 minutes. This again came from Joselito who ran from half pitch, chasing Mifsud Triganza’s splitting pass, to avoid the onrushing keeper and slot the ball into an unattended goal.

Any faint hopes for Melita were shattered. Camenzuli hit over and Fenech missed the target from promising positions.

Melita’s best chance of the match came past the hour. On a Micallef cross, Negrin headed the ball down to Vella Petroni who contrived to shoot wide in front of goal.

To make things worse, Melita also conceded a penalty on 65 minutes for Alhinho’s handling on Sciberras’ cross inside the area and Shola Shodiya managed to put his name on the scorers’ sheet depite having a very quiet match.

Karl Zahra’s point blank save on Mifsud Triganza avoided further derision but there was still time for substitute Jhonnattan to score Birkirara’s fourth on 76 minutes, after racing clear for Rowen Muscat’s long pass and beating the helpless Zahra.

Birkirkara: R. Gauci, A. Mendoza, R. Camenzuli, G. Sciberras, R. Muscat (D. Spiteri), P. Fenech, R. Scicluna, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (Jhonnatann), Z. Muscat, Joselito (J. Zerafa), S. Shodiya

Melita: K. Zahra, K. Vella Petroni (D. Gravino), G. Gribbon, R. Alhinho, J. Vukanic, L. Sammut, J. Galea, M. Valenzia (K. Micallef), L. Micallef, N. Baldacchino Orland (S. Galea), H. Negrin

Referee: M. Spiteri

Asst.refs: E.Grech, M. Scerri

4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: Joselito 8, 52, S. Shodiya 65 pen, Jhonnattan 76

Yellow cards: H. Negrin

Player of the match: Joselito (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. G. Sciberras 2. Joselito 3. K. Zahra