BIRKIRKARA..............2

SLIEMA W.................1

Birkirkara: M. Kopric, R. Scicluna, C. Attard, C. Bubalovic, G. Mujanovic, G. Sciberras, E. Bilbao Zarate (E. Agius 76’), R. Camenzuli, F. Temile (R. Darmanin 93’), L. Seydi, M. Smrekar (M. Guillaumier 91’)

Sliema: G. Zammit, A. Muscat, A. dos Santos (P. Xuereb 71’), N. Priso, C. Gatt Baldacchino, M. Potezica, J. Bezzina, D. Rocha dos Santos, G. Muir, J.P. Farrugia (A. Friggieri 82’), S. Biancardi

Yellow Cards: J. Bezzina 30’, G. Muir 65’ (S)

Scorers: N. Priso 25’ (S), F. Temile 28’, M. Smrekar 87’ (B)

Referee: Sandro Spiteri

Assistant Referees:Alan Camilleri, Thomas Debono

Additional Assistant Referees: Fyodor Zammit, Malcolm Spiteri

BOV Player of the game: Njongo Priso (Sliema Wanderers)

TMI Top 3: 1. M. Potezica (S) 2. N. Priso (S) 3. R. Camenzuli (B)

Attendance: 684

Despite the win, Birkirkara’s efforts were good enough as their supporters weren’t happy with their team’s display especially in the second half. Coach Drazen Besek is still under pressure to deliver what the committee but especially the supporters want.

Sliema can count themselves to finish empty handed from a game that they could at least snatch a draw as they weren’t inferior to their opponents. This was the fourth game for returning coach Alfonso Greco and is still searching for his first win after facing the likes of Floriana, Hibernians, Valletta and Birkirkara with only two points despite some positive performances.

The Italian coach amde four changes from their loss against Valletta. Clifford Gatt Baldacchino returned in defence instead of Luke Dimech. Armando dos Santos started instead of Mark Scerri in midfield while Muir and Denni replaced Essel and Friggieri respectively.

Three changes for coach Drazen Besek from their last game against Tarxien. Cain Attard started as a central defender as Gareth Sciberras was shifted to midfield to play with Bilbao Zarate instead of Edmond Agius and Matthew Guillaumier.

The first quarter of the game didn’t provide any actions to note expect from a possible action on the 17th minute when from a free-kick by Camenzuli, Bubalovic failed to grasp the cross for a possible one to one situation.

Sliema took the lead on the 25th minute when a cross by Alex Muscat was deflected and travelled through the post were Njongo Priso was ready to score. The stripes’ response came three minutes later with the equalising goal as a cross by Camenzuli from the left side was deflected with the ball finishing in the direction of Frank Temile who controlled and fired past Glenn Zammit.

The stripes could have taken the lead on the 38th minute when Temile crossed a low ball from the right side to L’Imam Seydi but his effort on the first post finished off target. Four minutes later Smrekar went close but his effort could give biss the illusion of the goal.

Sliema were unfortunate not to take the lead on the 48th minute with a personal action by Jean Paul Farrugia but his final shot beat Kopric but not the post as the shot rattled the upright. It was only on the 66th minute that Birkirkara tried to score with a free-kick by Ryan Camenzuli but Glenn Zammit tipped into a corner.

The Wanderers had the biggest opportunity on the 77th minute when Njongo Priso gave a clever pass to Jean Paul Farrugia who came face to face with Kopric from the most ideal spot but incredibly shot off target. This chance permitted Birkirkara to score what had to be the winning goal on the 87th minute when Matija Smrekar beat Glenn Zammit to give his team a precious win.

FLORIANA...............3

ST.ANDREWS..........1

Floriana: M. Calleja Cremona, M. Briffa, E. Marcelina, E. Pepe, A. Scicluna, S. Pisani (F. Aboulezz 80’), C. Borg (Co. Borg 74’), J. Cabral, N. Chiesa, M. Piciollo (M. Villa 62’), M. Fontanella

St.Andrews: J. Galea, E. Nkene (M. Desira Buttigieg 83’), M. Johnson, B. Won Che, F. Onwudinjo (J. Walker 88’), J. Farrugia, J. Perez Cuestra (K. Nwoko 72’), D. Camilleri, M. Pena Beltre, S. Wisdom, V. Oseghale

Yellow Cards: E. Marcelina 12’, M. Piciollo 29’, C. Borg 52’, M. Briffa 58’, E. Pepe 71’, S. Pisani 72’ (F), M. Pena Beltre 64’ (S)

Scorers: J. Farrugia 6’ (S), N. Chiesa 44’, M. Fontanella 65’, M. Villa 69’ (F)

Referee: Marco Borg

Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, William Debattista

BOV Player of the match: Nicholas Chiesa (Floriana)

TMI Top 3: 1. N. Chiesa (F) 2. F. Onwudinjo (S) 3. Cl. Borg (F)

Floriana returned to winning ways when they recovered from an early goal to beat St.Andrews 3-1 to keep up the pressure on Birkirkara to play European football next season. The Greens had a tough first half as they couldn’t play their own football due to their opponents defensive tactics.

But after scoring the two goals, Floriana controlled the play and had no difficulty in sealing the full points. Despite the defeat, it was another fine display in their own limitations confirming that they are the better team from the bottom three.

Coach Jose Borg kept the same starting eleven that defeated Pembroke in the last game. On wthe other side Floriana coach Luis Oliveira made two offensive changes from the defeat against Balzan as he used Emerson Marcelina in a central defensive role instead of Steve Bonnici while Matteo Piciollo started instead of midfielder Antonio Monticelli who was missing.

St.Andrews were awarded a penalty after six minutes when Enrico Pepe fouled Manuel Pena Beltre in the penalty area and Marco Borg ordered a penalty. From the penalty spot veteran captain Joseph Farrugia made no mistake. Floriana were caught by surprise and were eratic in their attacks.

Mario Fontanella had a good occasion on the 21st minute as he received a good ball from an ideal position but his hesitation permitted the St.Andrews defence to block for a corner. Five minutes later Nicolas Chiesa tried with a shot from outside the box but his effort finished off target and on the half hour mark Juninho Cabral passed to Matteo Piciollo but from a good position his shot finished off target.

Floriana head their best action of the first half on the 37th minute. Clyde Borg crossed to Juninho Cabral who tried with a diving header but goalkeeper Jake Galea was ready to block with a fine save. Oliveira’s team equalised just before the break when from a free-kick by Cabral, Nicolas Chiesa was unmarked and headed past Galea.

St.Andrews created the first action of the second half on the 48th minute with an angled shot by Salomon Wisdom but Matthew Calleja Cremona was ready and saved. Floriana regained play and went close on the hour mark with an effort in the box but Galea saved well again. The Italian went again close four minutes later when he headed from a Chiesa cross but Jake Galea tipped well. But Floriana equalised on the 65th minute when Chiesa crossed again from the left side and Mario Fontanella was at the right place to head past Jake Galea.

Floriana closed the game four minutes later when Argentinian striker Mauricio Villa who has just been playing for seven minutes caught Galea off guard and lobbed the ball over him in a cunning manner.

After this goal, Floriana reduced the rhythm and gave St.Andrews more space. They had an occasion on the 77th minute when Oseghale tried with a personal action but shot finished off target and the same player tried again with an effort five minutes later but Calleja Cremona stopped the attack with a fine outing.

St.Andrews kept trying to score the second goal on the 90th minute with an effort by Wisdom that was saved and few seconds later Oseghale crossed to substitute Nwoko but from a good position chose to shoot instead of control with effort finishing off target.

TARXIEN RAINBOWS-   6

QORMI -                          1

Tarxien R: S. Mintoff, E. Baker, B. De Oliveira,  L. Montebello, T. Caruana (R. Bajada), B. Muscat (M. Tabone), A. Azzopardi (R. Spiteri), D. Zerafa, J. Pedro, J. Mintoff, C. Frances

Qormi: A. Vella, R. Micallef, K. Spiteri (S. Zammit), D. Leeflang, P. Viggiani (C. Barbara), O. Sidibe, N. Ojuola, A. Cassar, T. Vella, K. Magro, T. Gusman (J. Peixoto)

Referee:  M. Apap

Asst.refs: M. Scerri, M. Borg

4th official: S. Pace

Scorers: L. Montebello 5, 47,  A. Azzopardi 10, T. Vella 33, D. Zerafa 39, 88, C. Frances 82

Player of the match: L. Montebello (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3: 1. L. Montebello  2. D. Zerafa  3. N. Ojuola

Attendance: 392

Tarxien blitz keeps Qormi on floor

SILVIO VELLA

Combining their collective qualities, Tarxien Rainbows found little difficulty in beating rudderless Qormi in a one-dimensional match that always hinted towards one outcome.

Two goals by Luke Montebello was confirmation that the striker is discovering his bite after injury. Daniel Zerafa also hit a brace while other goals from Ayrton Azzopardi and Claudio Frances completed a six-goal blitz.

Even so, there was a vibrancy to Tarxien’s attacking here, albeit against a team having slipped to a potentially precarious position, in bottom place, 11 points shy of the safety zone

Following their reverse against Birkirkara, coach Jacques Scerri deemed it fit to make four changes to his side yesterday. Sean Mintoff replaced Andrea Cassar in goal. Luke Montebello, John Mintoff and Claudio Frances were all given starts as Timothy Tabone Desira was dropped, Alex Nilsson was injured and Prendes was suspended, alongside Alex Alves.

Tarxien started brightly and Qormi always struggled to cope with the bullying presence of Montebello inside the area, the darting runs of Frances and Zerfafa through the middle and the delivery of Joao Pedro in particular.

With Emerson Vella and Clifford Gauci absent through suspension, their rearguard was pulled horribly out of shape and within the first minute Tarxien had already gone close. Joao Pedro’s close header, on a Mintoff cross, was repelled by keeper Andreas Vella and later Montebello ended his run with a lob that went narrowly wide.

There was no denying Luke Montebello after five minutes through. He powered his run inside the Qormi area on a Zerafa pass and beat the Qormi keeper with a drilling shot at the top corner.

Tarxien doubled their advantage only five minutes later. Ayrton Azzopardi played one-two with Montebello and ran in for the return pass to make it 2-0.

Qormi were already on the backfoot. With Viggiani isolated up front and neither Ryan Micallef or Terence Vella offering any bite or drive, Tarxien remained comfortable, controlling the proceedings and going close again through Montebello.

But Qormi struck a goal back against the run of play past the half hour. Micallef played a deep cross from the left and Terence Vella nipped in to beat keeper Mintoff and reduce the arrears.

Tarxien responded straight away and  their third goal was not long in coming. On 39 minutes, Joa Pedro’s stinging shot was held out by keeper Vella. From Azzopardi’s corner, Daniel Zerafa headed in from close range.

It took only two minutes of the second half for Tarxien to effectively secure the points. Luke Montebello took advantage of a huge gap in the Qormi defence, chased a long ball played by Triston Caruana and lobbed it over the onrushing keeper Vella.

The tempo dipped considerably after that but Montebello could have added further goals as he turned well inside area after 72 minutes, but dragged his shot wide. Later the over-worked keeper Vella footed out a lazy shot by Zerafa, before rendered helpless against Claudio Frances’ inswing corner kick from the right after some hesitancy in the Qormi defence, on 82 minutes

And two minutes from time, Daniel Zerafa headed in Frances’ corner from the right to complete the rout.

Qormi tried in vain to fight back as there was no real conviction or belief. Time is running out for Johann Scicluna’s men.

BALZAN FC-               8

NAXXAR LIONS-        0       

Balzan: I. Janjusevic (C. Cassar), J. Grioli, P. Fenech, S. Bezzina, A. Effiong (A. Souza), B. Kaljevic (L. Sciberras), C. Brincat, P. Calcado, L. Micallef, A. Vujacic, E. Serrano

Naxxar L: L. Pecorella, R. Hungria, E. Casado (A. Gallinetta), D. Toure’, D. Falzon (J. Ellul), J. Godar Pereira, J. Debono (D. Bonnici), I. Grech, D. Fenech, M. Fenech, N. Tasic

Referee: P. Farrugia

Asst.refs:  E. Spiteri, D. Castillo

4th official: A. M. Sant

Scorers: A. Effiong 37, 62,  P. Calcado 43 pen, L. Micallef 47, 69, 77,  A. Vujacic 60, 74

Yellow cards: C. Brincat

Red card: L. Pecorella

Player of the match: L. Micallef (Balzan FC)

TMI top 3: 1. L. Micallef  2. A. Effiong  3. J. Grioli

Naxxar stare into abyss after suffering Balzan romp

SILVIO VELLA

A reeling Naxxar side, languishing dangerosuly in the relegation zone,  were punished by Balzan’s attacking prowess and were torn to shreds after playing the second half with ten men, conceding another heavy defeat.

This was Naxxar’s fifth consecutive defeat in which they shipped in an alarming number of 27 goals without scoring any.

Meanwhile, Balzan keep up the pace with the top three, as they remain unbeaten in ten league matches since the turn of the year.

They had Dylan Grima and Samir Arab suspended and Alan Souza went in only as a substitute. Coach Spiteri gave starts to Bojan Kaljevic and Aleksandar Vujacic, demonstrating their attacking intentions.

Naxxar also had defender Andrew Scicluna suspended and Luke Pecorella replaced Gallinetta in goal following the 8-0 drubbing against Hibernians the previous week. Pecorella stayed only 42 minutes on the pitch as he was sent off in the penalty incident that brought Balzan’s second goal.

The Lions elected to sit back, inviting their opponents to come at them. A porous defence and a meek attack were the gifts Balzan craved to keep on winning, although they were also lacklustre for the first half hour and hesitant in their finishing even as the chances began to flow. It took them late in the half to open a two-goal cushion before the break.

Keeper Pecorella turned Micallef’s effort into a corner and from the resultant flag kick, Casado cleared off the line another Micallef shot.

Effiong missed the target with a careless header after the Naxxar keeper failed to clear a high ball. And when Vujacic came face to face with Pecorella inside the area and tried to lob the ball, the Naxxar keeper managed to block somehow.

Naxxar’s resistance lasted only 37 minutes though. Alfred Effiong picked Paul Fenech’s pass from the edge of the area, advanced and beat the goalkeeper with a low strike.

Effiong also procured the penalty that led to Balzan’s second goal five minutes later. The Balzan striker went past Godar Pereira but was felled by Pecorella. The goalkeeper was dismissed and, after being replaced by Gallinetta, Pedro Calcado beat him with a low strike from the penalty spot.

The goals continued to flow for Balzan in the second period as they made their extra man show. Two minutes after the restart, Grioli played the ball forward to Kaljevic, whose cut-back pass from the byeline on the right fell to Lydon Micallef to make it-3-0.

On the hour Calcado delivered a cross from the byeline on the right. This time Alxandar Vujacic steered the ball in from close range.

Two minutes later, Alfred Effiong darted inside the Naxxar area to meet a Bezzina cross from the left and hit past the helpless Gallinetta.

It was a sorry sight to watch Naxxar concede three further goals in the space of eight minutes. On 69 minutes, Lydon Micallef went past the keeper, advanced from the byeline on the left and knocked the ball over the line after avoiding a defender.

On 74 minutes Serrano played the ball forward to Alexandar Vujacic to advance from left and score with a low diagonal shot.

The eighth goal came courtesy of Lydon Micallef, who knocked the ball over the line after a Vujacic effort was poorly defended by the demorilised Naxxar rearguard, to complete his hat-trick.