QORMI-                        1

BIRKIRKARA      2

Birkirkara: J. Haber, Z. Muscat, J. Zerafa, P. Fenech, N. Vukanac G. Sciberras, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (E. Herrera), R. Scicluna, Joselito (S. Shodiya), Jhonnattan, Y. Hernandez (A. Mendoza)

Qormi: M. Farrugia, K. Thackray, R. Sammut (M. Avila Perez), A. Effiong, J. Chetcuti (L. Grech), L. Sciberras, M. Gauci, E. Zarate, D. Pisani, J. Bondin, S. Wellman

Referee:  K. Azzopardi

Asst.refs:C. Francalanza, S. Attard

4th official: M. Spiteri

Scorers: Joselito 25, Jhonnattan 38, A. Effiong 80

Yellow cards: Jhonattan, J. Zerafa, E. Zarate, P. Fenech, S. Wellman, A. Effiong, L. Sciberras, Z. Muscat, J. Bondin

Player of the match: P. Fenech (Birkirkara)

TMI top 3:  1. P. Fenech  2. K. Thackray  3. Joselito

Attendance: 621

 

Birkirkara somewhat made up for their FA Trophy exit at the expense of Qormi some days before, as they beat their rivals in the league match yesterday. Although they remain in third place, the Stripes have now closed the gap on second place Hibernians to one point.

They practically secured the points with a dominant first half display and deserved their two-goal cushion by halftime. At every stage during the first 45 minutes, Birkirkara were quicker on the ball and punished their opponents for their slow start.

Qormi, who were already resigned to playing in the Relegation Pool following Sliema’s win in the afternoon’s first match, laboured to break down Birkirkara’s blanket defence especially in the first half, in the absence of Abubaker Bello-Osagie who left for Valletta.

But the inclusion of Moises Avila Perez and Leighton Grech at the start of the second half gave them the required impetus as they showed more bite in attack and even managed to reduce the arrears with ten minutes remaining.  Birkirkara were pinned back for virtually the remainder of the match, inviting trouble by defending far too deep.

Following the goalless draw against Sliema Wanderers, Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit deemed it fit to make no less than six changes yesterday. Rodrigo Pereira, Alejandro Mendoza, Edward Herrera and Haruna Shodiya were all exiled to the bench as Rowen Muscat and Ryan Camenzuli were not fit for play.

Birkirkara threw attacking players into the fray with the inclusion of Mifsud Triganza, Joselito, Scicluna and Hernandez, combining with the returning Jhonnattan from the start, to give the Stripes the edge in attack.

Although Qormi were the first to threaten, with a Zarate shot going just over in the opening minutes, Birkirkara went closest on seven minutes. Joselito’s cross from the right was headed from close range by Jhonnattan, but keeper Farrugia managed to hold out the ball only for  Hernandez’s effort on the rebound to be blocked by the Qormi defence.

With Birkirkara playing the tune, it was no surprise that they forged ahead on 25 minutes. Fenech’s long distance shot was repelled by keeper Farrugia as far as Joselito to knock the ball in following two attempts.

Birkirkara looked good value for their advantage until then and not surprisingly doubled their lead  on 38 minutes. Mifsud Triganza’s splitting pass cut the entire Qormi defence, creating space  for Jhonnattan to race down the left and beat the keeper with a low drive.

Qormi’s chance to pull themselves into the match came one minute before the break as Effiong played a through ball wide to Zarate, who, when faced by the onrushing keeper Haber, crossed low for Vukanac to clear the danger.

Qormi were a transformed side after the restart, as they put in Leighton Grech and Avila Perez for Chetcuti and Sammut.

Birkirkara were suddenly back pedalling and on the hour they replaced Hernandez with defender Alejandro Mendoza to add stability at the back.

On 65 minutes Avila Perez advanced down the left, avoided Haber but his low cross from the byeline was again cleared by Vukanac.

Birkirkara threatened in flashes, although less convincingly.  On 77 minutes from Jhonnattan’s free kick from the right, substitute Shodiya headed tamely in the keeper’s arms.

But as Qormi’s improvement continued, Birkirkara had to endure a bout of ball-chasing. After some neat footwork, Grech progressed from the right, sending a low ball for Avila Perez to connect to but keeper Haber ably saved from close range.

Qormi’s efforts were only partially rewarded ten minutes from time. On a fast break, Alfred Effiong latched on Thackray’s long ball forward, accelerated down the right and blasted the ball past Haber from a tight angle.

Birkirkara were forced to cling on in the late stages, but Qormi’s final flurry proved futile to spare them defeat.