Senglea A. 1
Birkirkara 0
Senglea A.: M. Farrugia, S. Olberkis, E. Sakyi (L.Grech 60' ), M. Micallef, T. Marukawa (A. Spiteri 76′ ), J.Tanti, S. Cipriott, W. Zamble, M. Todorovic, D. Xuereb, M. Dias (J. Wilkson Teixeira 60' )
B'Kara: A. Hogg, J.Ferreira, E. Pepe, M. Vella, L. Montebello (Federico Falcone 68′ ), R. Briffa, C. Attard, T. Agius (Yannick Yankam 53′), C. Henrique Prado, M. Alba (Johann Bezzina 64' ), I. Ntow
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Asst refs: Luke Portelli, James Muscat
4th official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Dias, Sakyi, Micallef, Ntow, Vella
Red Card: Jeferson Ferreira 10′
Scorers: Wilfried Zamble 78'
BOV Player of the Match: Taisei Marukawa (Senglea A.)
Senglea continued their good start to the season when against all odds they defeated Birkirkara by a solitary goal scored twelve minutes from the end of the match. They are now on four points after getting a point from their first outing against Sirens.
Not the same can be said of their opponents Birkirkara who succumbed to their second consecutive defeat after losing their first match against Floriana.
Though one has to keep in mind that they practically played for nearly all the match with ten man, more was expected from the Stripes.
John Buttigieg opted to start with Terence Agius with Yankam thus starting on the bench. On the other hand Mario Muscat made two changes from their last match with Jan Tanti and Wilfried Zamble given a starting role instead of Teixeira and Pulo.
Birkirkara were dealt an early setback when after just ten minutes they were reduced to ten man following the dismissal of Jeferson Ferreira. The latter was given the marching orders after bringing down Wilfred Zamble who was set free on goal by Jan Tanti.
Senglea threatened on 26 minutes when Jan Tanti sent an inswinger from the right side but a close effort from David Xuereb was blocked by Hogg. The Cottonera outfit kept on dictating matters and three minutes later Tanti found Marukawa only for his acute shot to just miss the target.
Just past the half hour came the Stripes first goal mouth action with a Miguel Angel Alba free kick which was saved by Farrugia. The Senglea goalkeeper was once again in the thick of action on 38 minutes when he saved on Montebello following another Alba free kick.
Senglea hit the woodwork five minutes from the break when a long range effort by Sean Cipriott caught Hogg on the wrong foot but luck was on his side with the ball hitting the crossbar. And just before the break a Marukawa shot just missed the target.
On resumption only three minutes had elapsed with Senglea going near once again through a Marukawa drive which ended just wide. Birkirkara replied through a Miguel Angel Alba personal run only for his final shot to just miss out.
On 72 minutes goalkeeper Farrugia saved substitute's Farrugia headed effort . And three minutes later a Maurizio Vella free-kick sailed just over the bar.
Senglea scored what proved to be the winner twelve minutes from time. Wilfried Zamble fired a shot from the edge of the area which hit the foot of the upright before ending behind a stranded Hogg.
Till the end Senglea controlled well with the Stripes failing to mount a proper reaction. A second consecutive negative result for them who had surely hoped for a better start to this campaign following the heavy investiment made during the Summer.