BIRKIRKARA................0

HIBERNIANS.................1

Birkirkara: M. Kopric, C. Bubalovic, G. Sciberras, S. Dimitrov (80’ J. Brincat), V. Plut, N. Vukanac, F. Temile, J. Zerafa (P. Jovic 85’), R. Scicluna (S. Bajada 70’), C. Attard, R. Muscat

Hibernians: A. Hogg, D. Vella, J. Lima, R. Soares, M. Dias, B. Kristensen, C. Failla, J. Varea (A. Cohen 60’), A. Agius, Jorginho (T. Tabone Desira 90’), J. Degabriele (R. Telles 85’)

Scorer: C. Failla 78’ pen (H)

Yellow Cards: C. Bubalovic, F. Temile, N. Vukanac, J. Zerafa (B)

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann

BOV Player of the match: Jorge Pereira da Silva (Hibernians)

Attendance: 1090

In a match that lacked action and spectacular play, controversy dominated as Hibernians won their sixth game of the season with a penalty that stirred arguments as replays showed that the referee had made the wrong call.

This win meant that Hibernians are in second place, three points only behind Balzan. Both teams started with shirts showing solidarity with Bjorn Formosa and his campaign in favour ALS.

Drazen Besek made only one change from the big win against Gżira as Andelkovic was missing, while Mark Miller had Joseph Mbong and Jonathan Pearson missing through suspension.

The first action came from Hibernians on the 8th minute as Birkirkara goalkeeper Kopric had to intervene to clear the ball before youngster Jurgen Degabriele.

Birkirkara had the best chance of the half on the 24th minute as from a corner by Dimitrov, the header by Bubalovic was cleared on the line by Jackson Lima. After the half hour mark, Kopric had to save a header by Jorginho.

The pace stayed the same in the second half, as Mark Miller included Andrew Cohen instead of Varea who had a negative game. On the other hand, Bezek included Shaun Bajada.

The action that decided the game came on the 78th minute. A contact was made between Nikola Vukanac and Jorginho, and the referee Trustin Farrugia Cann ordered a penalty despite harsh protests by Birkirkara players that the presumed foul had occurred outside the box.

But Farrugia Cann maintained his decision. From the penalty spot, captain Clayton Failla fired past Kopric to decide the match as despite the last efforts of Birkirkara were in vain. The Stripes suffered their third defeat of the league.

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

MOSTA ................1

Sliema: G. Zammit, A. Muscat, M. Muchardi, R. De Souza, M. Scerri, S. Wisdom (Denni 60’), G. Aquilina, M. Potezica, R. Spiteri (M. Galin 71’), G. Muir, J. Farrugia (J. Mintoff 84’).

Mosta: Y. Cini, L. Martinelli, T. Grant, D. Djoufack, K. Frendo, K. Reid (A. Caruana 75’), N. Priso, G. Bezak (A. Borg 90’), D. Xuereb, K. Atkinson, R. Martin.

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Scorers: W. Salamon 24’ (S) N. Priso 57’ (M)

Yellow Cards: M. Potezica (S) R. Martin, D. Xuereb (M)

BOV Player of the match: Matias Muchardi (Sliema Wanderers)

Despite having squad problems, Mosta managed to snatch a point as they one of the most teams in form Sliema Wanderers 1-1. This point kept Mosta in 11th place with eight points from ten games, but this draw might give a bit of fresh air that is needed in the club.

On the other side, this draw stopped the brilliant form of four consecutive wins that John Buttigieg’s team claimed in the last games, and they are now one point behind Floriana.

Sliema were better in the first half but failed to close the affair after the break, and permitted Mosta to improve, score and take away a point. Buttigieg made only one change from last game, as Gabriel Aquilina took the place of the suspended Peter Xuereb.

On the other side, Ivan Zammit made again huge changes to the team, as he made six changes from the defeat against Floriana. Joint club top scorers Priso and Reid returned in attack, while Kurt Magro was suspended.

Sliema had the first action of the game when Salamon dribbled past an opponent and crossed a low ball in the penalty area, but Jean Paul Farrugia missed the ball. The first shot by Mosta came after 20 minutes, with a dangerous shot by Priso that was deflected into a corner.

The Wanderers took the lead four minutes later. Muchardi passed to Farrugia who had a shot partially saved by Cini, but Wisdom Salamon scored from the rebound.

Sliema reduced their attacking force, as Mosta tried to be more dangerous in attack, but Sliema were more compact in defence. In fact, Sliema almost doubled the lead before the break when Mark Scerri could have concluded better in front of Cini, after he received a header from Muchardi.

Buttigieg’s team closed the half on the attack and in stoppage time from a free-kick by Muir, Jean Paul Farrugia tried with a heqader, but was well saved by Cini.

Mosta equalised on the 57th minute. Atkinson crossed to Njongo Priso who chested the ball and with a deflected shot beat Glenn Zammit. After this goal, the game reduced its rhythm as the game was played in the midfield.

In fact, the next action worthy of note came four minutes from time, when Gary Muir tried with a shot from distance that was saved into a corner. In the last moments, Sliema increased their efforts with shots from Galin and Muscat, but Cini was prepared to block them.

Photos Domenic Aquilina