Birkirkara kept the pressure on the front runners when they beat Żejtun in the first match played at the Centenary Stadium on Friday evening. It was a deserved win for the Stripes who have now jumped to fourth place.  

Zejtun went into this match undefeated in their last five matches, getting eleven points from  three wins and two draws and currently holding to the 11th place with 23 points.

On the other hand Birkirkara tasted defeat way back in October 2020 when they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sliema Wanderers. After a bumpy start to the campaign they are now back on track and are now in fifth place with 31 points afer a run of twelve undefeated matches.

The Stripes were missing goalkeeper Guarnone together with Cain Attard and Luke Montebello.

In the first round match between these two sides the lads from Zejtun emerged winners by the odd goal in five.

Birkirkara threatened on 10 minutes when off a Da Paixao cross from the right side a headed effort by Falcone was saved by Kone. Two minutes later the Stripes were awarded a penalty after Mbong was brought down on entering the area by Reid. From the spot Da Paixao saw his shot partially saved by Kone but blasted home from the rebound.

On 15 minutes Zejtun responded through a corner taken by Barboza da Silva who found Motta but his header ended just wide.

Five minutes from the end of the first half a golden opportunity for the Stripes to increase their lead. A perfect pass from Mbong found Yankam who with only Kone to beat saw his shot saved by the Żejtun goalkeeper.

On the stroke of half time a Barboza Da Silva free kick just missed out.

The first action of the second half was Birkirkara’s second on 58 minutes. In a swift counter break a Da Paixao cross from just inside the area found an unmarked Caio Prado and the Brazilian forward had the easiest of chances to tap in.

Eighteen minutes from the end of the match a Jurgen Suda cross from the right side found Christian Grech but his volley was saved by Sylla.

Birkirkara replied two minutes later when off a Da Paixao corner Yankam’s header was saved on the line by Kone. And seconds later a Falcone shot ended inches wide.

In the 82nd minute the Stripes put the issue beyond doubt when following a good solo run by Caio Prado his shot from the edge of the area found the corner of the net.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina