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

PEMBROKE A...........0

Birkirkara: H. Bonello, C. Attard, P. Jovic (S. Bonnici 54’), N. Vukanac, J. Zerafa, G. Sciberras, M. Andelkovic, E. Herrera, S. Dimitrov, G. Malan, V. Plut

Pembroke: M. Calleja Cremona, M. Attard, S. Eboh, O. Bugeja, Z. Levnaic, P. Barbetti, A. Borg, A. Dhrami, B. Manevski, S. Eddin Arab, S. Shodiya

Yellow Cards: S. Dimitrov 13’ (B), M. Attard 55’ (P)

Scorers: S. Dimitrov 7’, E. Herrera 18’ (B)

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Assistant refs: William Debattista, Chris Azzopardi

4th official: Malcolm Spiteri

TMI Top 3: 1. S. Dimitrov (B), 2. E. Herrera (B), M. Andelkovic (B)

BOV Player of the match: Srdan Dimitrov (Birkirkara)

Photos Domenic Aquilina

Till now, the new year for Birkirkara is serving as a resurgence to winning ways as they stayed with maximum points in 2017 with another 2-0 win against Pembroke. Apart from the win, this game served as vengeance for Birkirkara as Pembroke had won the first round match.

If the Stripes took all their chances, the final score would have been much bigger, as their opponents were poor in dictating play.

Artim Shaqiri had to replace the three suspended players Akuto, Scozzese and Djeljilj, while Birkirkara coach Nikola Jaros made two changes from the win against Mosta, as Henry Bonello made his debut for the stripes, while Edward Herrera returned in the first 11 instead of Frank Temile.

Birkirkara took the lead after seven minutes. Gareth Sciberras crossed a good ball from the right to the unmarked Srdan Dimitrov who headed past Matthew Calleja Cremona from a central position.

The Bulgarian almost doubled the lead two minutes later after a great personal action by Vito Plut crossing a low ball to Dimitrov but his effort finished well over the bar.

The first shades of Pembroke arrived on the 11th minute with a shot from around 30 metres by the ex-player of the game Shola Shodiya that finished over the bar.

Birkirkara doubled their advantage on the 18th minute as Dimitrov switched a good ball from the right to Edward Herrera who was unmarked and slotted past Matthew Calleja Cremona as he controlled the ball and shot in the net.

Herrera tried to score his second personal goal on the 33rd minute, but Calleja Cremona saved his low powerful shot.

Another action from Birkirkara just before the half time, saw a header by Jovic turned into a corner after a good ball by Dimitrov.

The rhythm of the game remained the same in the beginning of the second 45 minutes as Birkirkara continued to attack in order to close the game. On the 64th minute, they had one of the best actions as Herrera drove a low ball across the post to Srdan Dimitrov, but from an ideal position, the Bulgarian fired incredibly off target.

Birkirkara almost paid for this occasion, as Pembroke had their best occasion a minute later. Shola Shodiya entered the penalty and came face to face with Bonello, but opted to pass to substitute Bernardo Mariano, but the pass was careless and Pembroke missed the chance to get back into the game.

Shaqiri’s men stepped forward to at least get a consolation goal, and on the 70th minute, a shot from a difficult position by substitute Darren Falzon saw Bonello turning the ball to a corner.

The Stripes were taking advantage of enormous space left by the Pembroke defence and had a number of occasions to score more goals. Amongst those actions, Andelkovic tried with a low shot on the 79th minute that was saved well by Calleja Cremona, and a minute later Vito Plut wasted a good chance as he dribbled past his opponents but failed to conclude from a few metres away.

Photos Domenic Aquilina

HIBERNIANS........1

VALLETTA...........0

Hibernians: A. Hogg, M. Dias, R. Soares, A. Agius, C. Failla, B. Kristensen, J. Lima, A. Cohen (T. Tabone Desira 77’), J. Mbong (R. Telles 55’), J. Pereira da Silva, J. Degabriele (D. Vella 87’)

Valletta: D. Bartkus, S. Borg, J. Caruana, R. Camilleri, L. Aguirre (J. Borg 89’), V. Alhinho, R. Muscat (L. Cremona 83’), R. Romao, J. Benites, U. Calistus (L. Montebello 69’), T. Radzinevicius

Scorer: J. Lima 60’ (H)

Yellow Cards: J. Degabriele 9’, J. Lima 31’, R. Soares 47’, C. Failla 81’ (H), U. Calistus 11’ (V)

Referee: Clayton Pisani

Assistant Refs: Alan Camilleri, Chris Francalanza

4th official: Mario Apap

TMI Top 3: 1. R. Romao (V), 2. J. Lima (H), T. Radzinevicius (V)

BOV Player of the match: Jackson Lima (Hibernians)

Attendance: 1,813

A perfect defensive organisation and a cynical attack was enough for Hibernians to claim a precious win defeating Valletta 1-0.

This win was a reaction by Hibernians, after they had lost the final game of 2016 against Balzan, thus maintaining their chase of the leaders, while opening a gap on the teams behind them.

For Valletta, this was another direct encounter that they failed to win, in a match in which they looked sharp in the first half.

But after the goal by Jackson Lima, the reaction of the Citizens wasn’t enough and the defeat leaves them in joint fourth place with Birkirkara, two points behind third placed Floriana.

It was one of the best games in the league so far, with a number of players distinguishing themselves in their roles. City’s Lithuanian striker Tomas Radzinevicius had an encouraging debut while Rowen Muscat, also on his debut, had a positive game.

On the other hand, Andrei Agius, Rodolfo Soares in defence and Jackson Lima alongside Bjorn Kristensen in midfield, were all outstanding for the Paolites.

Leandro Aguirre tested Andrew Hogg first after 15 minutes with a dangerous shot from a diagonal position, and the Hibernians goalkeeper had to save in two attempts. Hibernians’ reaction came on the 20th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box by Clayton Failla that rattled the crossbar.

The Citizens had a brilliant occasion three minutes later as Romeu Romao crossed a good ball from the right side to Umeh Calistus. The winger tried with a brilliant first time shot from distance, but Hogg was ready to tip into a corner. After the half hour mark, Romao tried a personal action that finished with a shot which was deflected for a corner.

Valletta were dictating play and on the 40th minute, they conducted a brilliant action with several one-two’s between Radzinevicius and Benites. The Brazilian couldn’t conclude, turned back and passed to Calistus, who controlled and tried a swerving shot, but his effort finished off target.

At the other end, Bartkus saved without a problem a shot by Jackson Lima, in the last attempt of a lively first half.

Paul Zammit’s team started the second half on the same rhythm and two minutes into the half, a free-kick finished over the bar. A minute later, Valletta had a great opportunity as a back heel by Radzinevicius brought Jhonnattann Benites in an ideal position, but face to face with Hogg, his shot finished off target.

Hibernians started taking more shape and on the 59th minute, Bjorn Kristensen set Jurgen Degabriele with a pass in the penalty area, but the shot of the young striker didn’t trouble Bartkus who saved the effort.

But a minute later Bartkus could only save partially with his feet the low shot by Jurgen Degabriele, the ball finished in the direction of Jackson Lima who slotted home with a low shot.

Valletta were apparently shocked, and failed to produce a serious threat to Hogg. It was only 15 minutes from time that they had a chance, but Aguirre shot well over the bar after a good move. Eight minutes later, Romao passed from the right to Steve Borg, who crossed a low ball on the run, but Hogg tipped the dangerous ball away and the defence cleared the ball to a corner.

Valletta continued to push forward, but without success, as Hibernians controlled the final minutes.

TARXIEN RAINBOWS-   1

SLIEMA WANDERERS-   0

Tarxien R: P. Schranz, E. Baker, T. Caruana, D. Ponce (S. Borg), A. Nilsson (A. Agius), S. Prendes, D. Zerafa, A. Alves, M. Tabone, K. Zammit, C. Frances (A. Azzopardi)

Sliema W: G. Zammit, G. Aquilina, G. Muir, S. Bianchiardi, R. Vilas Boas (M. Potezica), W. Salomon, D. Dos Santos, J. Mintoff, M. Scerri, A. Terlaziz (R. Spiteri), J.P. Farrugia

Referee: T. Farrugia Cann

Asst.refs: J. Spiteri, T. Debono

4th official: E. Grech

Scorers: A. Alves 63

Yellow cards: C. Frances, E. Baker, A. Azzopardi

Player of the match: A. Azzopardi (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3: 1. S. Prendes   2. G. Muir  3. T. Caruana

SILVIO VELLA

Tarxien Rainbows’ revival under coach Jesmond Zerafa continued with a narrow win against Sliema Wanderers at the Hibernians Stadium yesterday.

The decisive goal was scored past the hour by Alex Alves. Tarxien remian unbeaten in four matches with a win against Hamrun Spartans and two draws against St Andrews and Floriana since December. They now move above Hamrun Sparatans and St Andrews. This win also atones for the first round defeat by the same Sliema Wanderers.

Sliema were bereft of Alex Muscat as he serves a two-match ban, as well as the still injured Matias Muchardi. Marko Potezica was named among the substitutes.

Gary Muir played as left back with Armando Tarlaziz as the anchor man in front of defence, with Mark Scerri taking an advanced role in midfield.

His and Denni’s experience, paired with Jean Paul Farrugia’s pace and anticipation, caused Tarxien problems from the first whistle.

In fact, with the wind behind their back, the Wanderers made an assertive start and after only three minutes the Tarxien keeper Schranz was called to hold out Denni’s low diagonal strike from the right, shortly after Salomon had an effort hitting the side netting on a Farrugia pass.

Holding to possession, a Muir shot from a distance, after half an hour, was parried by the Tarxien keeper and Denni headed wide from an offside position.

Then Farrugia arrived fractionally late on a Muir cross.

Despite Ponce’s running, Tarxien lacked creativity. They were giving away possession cheaply and there were too many stray passes from Alves and Frances. Alex Nilsson remained starved of service up front.

After 12 minutes Alves managed to go past the Sliema defence through the middle from a Frances pass, but keeper Zammit rushed out to block him.

The Rainbows were bolstered by the return to action of their midfielder Ayrton Azzopardi, following a long lay off. He went in as a substitute for Frances at the start of the second half and soon left a mark on the match as he was involved in his side’s opener past the hour. Azzopardi played the ball wide on the right for the unmarked Alex Alves to beat keeper Zammit with a low diagonal shot.

Surprisingly, Sliema had no response to going behind and looked disjointed in all aspects of play. They even were forced to substitute the injured Vilas Boas.That allowed Tarxien to defend their lead with minimal difficulty and could have even increased their lead in the dying stages but Alves failed to put his head to Azzopardi’s cross.

Sliema only aroused themselves deep into three minutes of added time when awarded a free kick from the edge of the area on the left. But Denni missed the target completely and all hopes were gone with the wind.

GZIRA UNITED – 1

BALZAN FC –        2

Gzira U: M. Boerchio, C. Gatt Baldacchino (E. Amaira), S. Diamoutene, Z. Scerri, R. Correa (K. Pulo), I. Azzopardi, J. Bondin, L. Zome, J. Corbolan, M. Avila Perez, I. Adeshina (A. White)

Balzan: C. Cassar, J. Grioli (L. Micallef), B. De Oliveira, D. Grima, S. Arab, R. Fenech, A. Souza (T. Agius), A. Nafti (A. De Barros), C. Brincat, P. Fenech, M. Piciollo

Referee: E. Mangion

Asst.refs: L. Portelli, R. Aquilina

4th official: S. Spiteri

Scorers: M. Piciollo 41 83, R. Correa 44

Yellow cards: R. Fenech, C. Brincat, J. Bondin

Player of the match: R. Correa (Gzira U)

TMI top 3: 1. R. Correa  2. A. Souza  3. M. Piciollo

Attendance: 389

SILVIO VELLA

Balzan had to overcome a stern challenge from gritty Gzira United before scoring late to secure a win that keeps them firmly at the top of the BoV Premier League standings.

Gzira held on well for most of teh game against superior opponents and even scored an equaliser briefly after falling behind towards the end of the first half. Their defence however wilted under Balzan’s well executed free kick seven minutes from the end.

Matteo Piciollo scored Balzan’s goals to take his tally to five so far this season.

Gzira fielded three new players whom they acquired recently, giving starts to two forwards, Nigerian Ige Adeshina and Louis Zome from Cameroon, as well as Valletta loanee defender Ian Azzopardi.

The other recruit from St George’s, Emerson Amaira started on the bench and made only a very late appearance.

Balzan were fairly depleted. Apart from the still injured wide back Steve Bezzina, Elkin Serrano, Bojan Kaljevic and Alfred Effiong were all suspended.

The first half was played high on energy but offered little in terms of entertainment. Balzan’s attacking options remained limited and, although they dominated possession, they created very little against deep-lying opponents.

Gzira were content to stay composed, absorb the pressure and hit on the counter. They hooved long balls forward for Adeshina and Zome to chase, with Corblan, Correa, Avila Perez and Scerri stifling Balzan with some good work in midfield.

Balzan took a valuable lead on 41 minutes. Matteo Piciollo chased a long ball from the left, advanced inside the Gzira area and beat keeper Boerchio from a tight angle.

That lead lasted only three minutes though as Gzira levelled matters before the half was over. Ricardo Correa picked a Corbolan pass and from a central position inside the area drilled a powerful shot that completely beat keeper Cassar.

At halftime, Balzan put in Lydon Micallef for Grioli to inject much-needed pace and service from the right. They pressed their opponents

Gzira had controlled the play but instead of now controlling the contest they retreated. Balzan failed to capitalise and Nafti shot his free kick well over the bar.

Within four minutes though Gzira twice threatened. On 53 minutes Diamoutene’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by Arab and later Adeshina created space but his shot went over.

After a Ryan Fenech low drive was well blocked by keeper Boerchio, Gzira had another glimpse at goal on 77 minutes. Azzopardi ran in for Zome’s cross but his shot was blocked by Grima.

With the match heading towards a draw, Balzan sparked into life seven minutes from time and sealed victory when awarded a free kick from outside the area, well taken by Souza, and as the Gzira keeper could only block, Matteo Piciollo was quick to hit in the loose ball and secure the points for the league leaders.