Birkirkara 2
Hamrun S 1
Birkirkara: K. Naumovski, D. Chapoval, M. Guillaumier, M. Andelkovic, M. Vella, K. Zammit, E. Ferreira, M. Mifsud (M. De Siqueira 64’), J. Bezzina (T. Agius 75’), C. Attard, J. Da Silva Pereira (L. Montebello 83’).
Hamrun S: E. Bartolo, E. Pepe, T. Caruana, S. Nayar, W. Domoraud, M. Gauci, M. Criaco (R. Darmanin 83’), K. Micallef, O. Nikolopoulos, C. Calil, K. Tulimieri.
Referee: Glen Tonna
Ass.Referees: Christopher Francalanza, William Debattista
Scorers: K. Tulkimieri 12’, J. Da Silva Pereira 48’, M. De Siqueira 72’ pen,
Yellow cards: M. Criaco, E. Pepe, K. Tulimieri, J. Bezzina, S. Nayar, K. Naumovski
Attendance: 1,486
A highly controversial fourth round tie went Birkirkara’s way yesterday as they defeated hamrun Spartans with the odd goal in three thanks to a second half comeback.
Hamrun took an early lead with a Ferreira own goal, and controlled the match with relative ease in the first half. However on the resumption, a Bartolo blunder led to Birkirkara’s equaliser, and this was the spark that started the Stripes’ comeback
Birkirkara started to play better now and eventually took the lead through a highly disputed penalty. Hamrun were unlucky minutes later when they hit the post but then failed to recover in a very tense finish.
Birkirkara had a slight edge at the start of the game with Hamrun on the defensive, but the Spartans had the first effort through Domoraud on seven minutes and two minutes later Johan Bezzina’s effort on the other end missed the target.
On twelve minutes Hamrun broke the deadlock when Kevin Tulimieri was put through on the right with a Calil header, his shot was blocked by Naumovski with the ball rebounding off Ferreira’s knee and into the back of the net. On 19 minutes a Domoraud central drive was blocked by Naumovski.
Birkirkara failed to react effectively as the Spartans’ usually solid defence held tight, never giving away an inch, and practically Bartolo was a spectator. On the other hand the Spartans were always ready to pounce on some lost ball in midfield and start a counter break
On 43 minutes Nayar crossed from the right towards Domoraud who headed slightly wide. Just before the break Chapoval tried his luck from a distance but his effort went well over the bar.
Three minutes into the second half the Stripes drew level when Jorginho took advantage of a Bartolo mistimed sortie to score from close range. On 57 minutes Tulimieri crossed from the right towards the towering Domoraud who headed over the bar.
On 65 minutes from a Cain Attard cross, substitute De Siqueira almost scored scored from close range. Three minutes later Jorginho tested Bartolo from an acute angle. From the resulktant corner the Stripes were awarded a penalty as Ferreira was pulled down, and from the penalty spot Marcelo De Siqueira fired home.
The Spartans were unlucky two minutes later when a Domoraud header from a Nayar freekick finished against the post. For the rest of the match Hamrun failed to create scoring chances as Birkirkara held on to their slender lead in a tense and nervous finish.