Birkirkara bounced back from their defeat against Hamrun Spartans when they beat rivals Valletta by two goals to nil. The Stripes were the best outfit during the first period but the Citizens reacted well in the second and were unlucky not to draw level.

Points were important for both teams who are now rallying in order to try and save their season by earning a European berth. But the Stripes prevailed and are now in fourth place with Valletta now out of the equation.

The Stripes run of an unbeaten run of twelve matches was brought to a halt by Ħamrun Spartans whereas their opponents Valletta managed to scrape through a marginal win against Sirens. For the team from the Capital it was their first win following three defeats and a draw.

Another boost for Andre’ Paus was the return of two key players as defender Oscar Carniello and Argentinian striker Federico Falcone were back in the fold after missing the important match against Ħamrun Spartans due to suspension.

Missing for the Citizens suspended duo Henry Bonello and Ryan Camilleri who were both sent off in their last match. Another notable absentee was Serbian defender Ivan Maric who is nursing an injury also sustained against Sirens together with Jonathan Caruana.

The first round match between these two rivals produced six goals with Valletta emerging winners by a 4-2 scoreline.

In the 2nd minute off a Cain Attard cross from the right side an overhead kick by Falcone was saved by Cini. Valletta responded five minutes later when a long pass by Ryan Fenech found Mario Fontanella but the latters shot went inches wide.

On 11 minutes Valletta threatened when a Piciollo curling shot from just inside the area hit the upright. A minute later a free kick from the edge of the area taken by Fenech was saved by Guarnone.

In the 28th minute Briffa’s back heel found Da Paixao whose cross caused havic in the Valletta rearguard but the ball was cleared before Falcone could convert. And on the half hour a Caruana mistake presented Da Paixao with a golden chance when with only Cini to beat he hesitated and the Valletta goalkeeper blocked.

The Stripes took the lead seven minutes from the end of the first half when Da Paixao played a ball on the edge of the area towards Falcone whose shot was deflected and found it’s way in Montebello’s path who blasted past a helpless Cini.

On the change of ends Valletta adopted a more offensive approach and in the 50th minute off a Dimech low cross Fontanella’s shot missed by a whisker.

Just past the hour a double chance for Valletta in which luck was not on their side. First a Pena Beltre shot hit the crossbar and from the rebound Piciollo once again found the woodwork in his way.

Three minutes later another chance for Valletta when off a Fenech corner Fontanella’s low shot was palmed onto a corner by Guarnone. With Birkirkara going near fourteen minutes from the end through a Briffa shot from the edge of the area which went inches wide.

Birkirkara sealed the issue six minutes from the end. A cross by Bonanni was perfectly met by Caio Prado who slotted the ball past Cini.

Photo Domenic Aquilina