Birkirkara-Vittoriosa 2-0
Birkirkara: J. Haber, E. Herrera, A. Mendoza, J. Benites, R. Scicluna, J. Zerafa, F. Temile (R. Camenzuli 64’), D. Zerafa, S. Haruna Shola (D. Toure 77’), T. Vella (K. Zammit 77’), Z. Muscat
Vittoriosa: S. Cini, Samir Arab, M. Buttigieg, M. Teurel (M. Barbara 63’), M. Pereira, C. Spiteri, Siraj Arab (O. Oluwafumi Ebiesuwa 73’), O. Guerrero, R. Dos Santos, J. Aguiar, C. Brincat (R. Mifsud 87’)
Scorers: Jhonnattan Benites 22min, 24min (B)
Yellow Cards: Daniel Zerafa 5min (B), Zach Muscat 8min (B), Ramon dos Santos 26min (V)
Referee: Paul Caruana
Assistant Referee: Duncan Sultana, Jurgen Spiteri
BOV Player of the Match: Jhonnattan Benites (B)
Two goals in the space of two minutes by Jhonnattan Benites proved to be decisive for champions Birkirkara as they defeated Vittoriosa Stars 2-0 in the last match of the first round for both teams.
Although Birkirkara were a bit better than their opponents, Vittoriosa could have snatched something more as they also had their chances but failed to take advantage.
The Vittoriosa back four, composed of Ramon dos Santos, Clive Brincat, Samir Arab and Clive Brincat, had a tough nut to crack but made a satisfactory job to clear the danger as much when faced by the Birkirkara strikers. The Stripes had Edward Herrera making several overlaps from the right flank which even resulted in the first goal.
Birkirkara had Matheus Bissi and Paul Fenech on the bench while Rowen Muscat was missing.
Paul Zammit decided to make three changes in the starting line-up with Frank Temile and Daniel Zerafa given a starting position replacing Matheus Bissi and Paul Fenech. With Rowen Musat missing the Stripes welcomed back Edward Herrera who had missed the last game against Floriana.
Vittoriosa Stars had Michael Camilleri suspended and coach Oliver Spiteri opted to give Siraj Arab a start.
Vittoriosa had their first opportunity on target when a free-kick by Guerrero was easily saved by Haber. Three minutes later from the same position, a low free-kick this time by Teurel was tipped into a corner by the Stripes goalie.
Birkirkara had their real first chance after 20 minutes when a shot from a long distance by Herrera was well parried by Cini. A minute later Vittoriosa had a good action finishing with a placed shot by Teurel but it was easily saved by Haber.
Birkirkara broke the deadlock on the 22nd minute when Edward Herrera made a good run down the right and crossed to Jhonnattan Benites who gave Cini no chance with a first time shot.
Birkirkara doubled two minutes later when a shot by Shola was partially saved by the Stars goalie but from the rebound, Jhonnattan was fast enough to get before the Vittoriosa custodian and tapped in.
After these two goals, Birkirkara were in command for most of the game and Vittoriosa only replied on the 39th minute when Teurel set up Guerrero but instead of shooting on the run, he tried to dribble Justin Haber but the goalie blocked for a corner.
Before the half time whistle Vittoriosa had another opportunity when a free-kick close to the penalty area was saved by Haber.
Vittoriosa were sharing most of the play in the beginning of the second half and on the 52nd minute, from a cross by Guerrero, a header from Siraj Arab finished off target. Birkirkara replied with a pass from Temile to Jhonnattan who had his shot tipped to corner by Cini.
Vittoriosa almost reduced the margin on the 74th minute when Malcolm Buttigieg crossed the ball in the penalty area and Clive Brincat rose above his opponents but his header was denied by the crossbar. The crossbar played an important part again when six minutes later it denied substitute Ryan Camenzuli from a wonderful goal with a shot from long range.
Birkirkara could have sealed the game when Benites took advantage of a mistake in defence and came face to face with Cini but passed to substitute Kurt Zammit who had his low shot blocked by Clive Brincat.