Birkirkara-Naxxar 7-1

Birkirkara: J. Haber (R. Gauci), J. Zerafa, A. Mendoza, N. Vukanac (Z. Muscat), J. Benites, G. Sciberras, F. Temile (R. Camenzuli), R. Scicluna, S. Haruna Shodiya, P. Fenech, E. Herrera.

Naxxar L.: J. Azzopardi, A. Buhagiar, RG Cassar, G. da Silva Ribeiro, A. Decesare, M. del Negro, T. Lopes da Souza (M. Vignjevic), D. Reano, A. Rocha da Silva, T. Scerri (D. Falzon), F. Stojanovic.

Referee: A. Azzopardi

Asst refs: R. Vella, D. Sultana.

4th official: M. Borg.

Scorers: J. Benites 4, R. Scicluna, A. Mendoza, S. Haruna Shodiya, T. Scerri,   

Yellow cards: F. Stojanovic, F. Temile, M. Del Negro, N. Vukanac,

Player of the match: J. Benites

TMI Top 3: 1. J. Benites, 2. S. Shodiya, 3. G. Sciberras.

Attendance: 1,014

Birkirkara maintained their very impressive winning streak yesterday as they convincingly beat a poor Naxxar Lions side to make it 12 victories in a row.

With Valletta also winning their clash comfortably against lowly Vittoriosa Stars, the position at the top remained unchanged as the Stripes kept their six-point lead over the citizens.

On their part, Naxxar suffered a defeat after four consecutive wins, but they remain in fifth place on 27 points though sixth placed Mosta (26 points) could overtake them today if they beat Floriana (21).

Naxxar had Victor Bellia and Pablo Doffo missing, the former suspended and Doffo injured. But Serbian player Filip Stojanovic was making his debut for the Lions.

Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit fielded his typical formation, although Rowen Muscat was ruled out through injury.

The Stripes dominated from the very first whistle giving the Lions no chance to get close to Justin Haber’s post.

Naxxar were a completely subdued lot. Without the services of seasoned campaigners Bellia and Doffo, they simply could not match the strong Birkirkara side, especially in midfield where Sciberras, Fenech, Herrera and Benites had a field day.

When Birkirkara took the lead in the 18th minute, the match seemed to be already won and lost so poor were Naxxar, especially in midfield and up in front where newcomer Stojanovic and Terence Scerri were never in the match.

From then on, the match remained a one-way traffic affair with the Stripes adding goals at regular intervals to register the biggest score victory so far this season.

Birkirkara quickly went on the offensive and on the fifth minute, Herrera crossed into the area, but Haruna Shola Shodiya could only head well over the bar.

They remained well in command and it was no surprise that they eventually took the lead on the 18th minute when Frank Temile set Jhonnattann Benites who went round a Naxxar defender before beating Azzopardi in style.

On the 25th minute, the action was repeated, this time Haruna Shodiya setting Benites, but the latter’s shot went just over.

In the 38th minute, Birkirkara doubled their lead. It was Shodiya who passed a good ball to Benites. The latter set Scicluna in the area and he made no mistake as Azzopardi rushed out of his charge to narrow the angle.

Birkirkara increased their lead in the 54th minute. They were awarded a freekick and from Herrera’s cross, it was Mendoza who headed beautifully into the far corner with Azzopardi completely beaten.

Birkirkara remained dominant and four minutes later, they added another one, and what a goal it was. Haruna Shodiya received a ball from Benites to avoid a player on his way to the Naxxar area to fire a humdinger from 20 metres into the top corner.

In their next attack on the 61st minute, it became 5-0. Benites received the ball on the left, advanced into the area where he rounded two defenders before beating Azzopardi with a low shot.

Naxxar rarely moved upfield but they managed a consolation goal in the 69th minute. From an Angus Buhagiar cross, substitute goalie Reuben Gauci slipped and Terence Scerri could head into the empty net from one metre.

Birkirkara responded five minutes later when following a Fenech freekick, Mendoza headed into the centre of the area for Benites to complete his hat-trick with his side’s sixth goal.

Two minutes later, man of the match Jhonnattann Benites scored his fourth goal – the best of the bunch – with a great shot from the far end of the area.

Six minutes from the end, Gauci made amends for his earlier slip when he dived full length to save a Vignjevic fine effort.