Birkirkara-Tarxien 1-0

Birkirkara: J. Haber, M. Bissi, A. Mendoza, J. Benites (D. Toure 83’), R. Scicluna, J. Zerafa, E. Herrera (D. Zerafa 79’), R. Muscat, S. Haruna Shola, F. Temile (R. Camenzuli 68’), Z. Muscat

Tarxien: N. Vella, S. Sadowski (S. Bonnici 78’), A. Agius, L. Martinelli, M. Potezica, R. Calheira Seara, M. Ciantar (K. Pulo 67’), E. Souza Santos, R. Sammut, J. Mifsud, J. Santos Silva

Scorers: Joseph Zerafa 36min (B)

Yellow Cards: Joseph Zerafa 10min (B), Ronallie Calheira Seara 82min (T)

Referee: Chris Lautier

Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Thomas Debono

BOV Player of Match:Edward Herrera (B)

Attendance: 698

Birkirkara won their second consecutive match after they defeated Tarxien Rainbows 1-0. It was a mediocre encounter although Birkirkara had the control of the match for most of the game. Tarxien disappointed in this game and it was due to Birkirkara’s lack of sharpness that kept them in the game.

Birkirkara are now two points adrift of Hibernians who have a game in hand while Tarxien who suffered their second consecutive defeat are still seventh with eight points.

Tarxien had Fernando Lopes Alcantara suspended with Marko Potezica, while Ryan Sammut and Steve Sadowski replaced Manuel Caruana and Steve Bonnici.Birkirkara apart from captain Gareth Sciberras who’s still injured, had vice-captain Paul Fenech serving a one match ban and Demba Toure on the bench with Ryan Scicluna and Matheus Bissi taking their place.

Tarxien had the first opportunity on the 6th minute when Haber saved partially a header by Ronallie Calheira Seara. Birkirkara took the lead on the 36th minute when Joseph Zerafa received a good cross to the edge of the small box and with a low left footed shot left Vella staring at the shot. Three minutes later Temile crossed to Jhonnattan but his header was easily saved by Vella.

Now Birkirkara had full command of the game but their lack of shots on target kept Tarxien in the game. Shodiya Haruna had an opportunity on the 41st minute but his shot was well off the target.

The second half continued with the same rhythm with Birkirkara better than their opponents and on the 58th minute a shot from Jhonnattan finished wide from Vella’s post. Tarxien responded on the 64th minute with a shot from Miguel Ciantar but the latter’s shot finished off target. Birkirkara had another occasion on the 84th minute but Ryan Camenzuli’s shot like other of his team-mates finished off target.