Birkirkara started the new year with a bang easily disposing of lowly Zebbug scoring five goals in the process. It was a one way traffic affair with the Stripes putting their minds at rest in the first half, when they scored four goals in a ten-minute burst.

This victory puts Birkirkara in third place just one point behind second placed Gzira who were yesterday held to a 1-1 draw by Gudja. For struggling Zebbug, who ironically managed to beat runaway leaders Hamrun, this was the ninth defeat of the season as they remain third from bottom with seven points, two more than Santa Lucia and three above bottom placed Pieta.

After a timid start the Stripes took the lead on 18 minutes when Enzo Cabrera made his way inside the area and crossed towards Alex De Paixao Alves who easily slotted home with an open goal at his mercy.

This was the start of the Birkirkara ten-minute magical spell, and the end of Zebbug’s hopes of obtaining something from this match. Two minutes later Cabrera was tripped inside the area by Gesualdi and from the penalty spot the same Cabrera made no mistake.

Another three minutes and Birkirkara sealed the issue with the third goal, the second for Cabrera who was well served by Paul Mbong, and on 28 minutes the Stripes scored again this time through defender Cain Attard who advanced unhindered from his own half and from the edge of the area fired home a beauty past the helpless Azzopardi.

As expected nothing much happened in the second fourth five minutes with Birkirkara more than happy with the result obtained and with Zebbug too demoralized to try at least and scor a consolation goal. On 66 minutes Birkirkara closed their account with the fifth and final goal scored by Paul Mbong after receiving form Paixao Alves.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina