A goal a minute into stoppage time saved Valletta from ending for a second consecutive match on the losing end as they drew their match against Birkirkara.
The Stripes were the better side in the first forty five minutes but Valletta pressed for an equalizer in the second period and they finally found the net late on.
Birkirkara opened their commitments with a 1-0 win over Sliema Wanderers but lost their last match against Floriana by a 2-0 scoreline.
Valletta also lost their last match at the expense of Sliema Wanderers after winning their first encounter against Sirens by two goals to nil.
This was a match which brought memories of better days for both teams who dominated the local scene for many years. Classic encounters between these two sides were the order of the day which turned out into a great rivalry between the Stripes and the Citizens.
After a long spell with neither team threatening on 21 minutes Birkirkara opened their account. A defensive blunder by Bolanos presented the ball to Satariano who made his way into the box, squared towards Paul Mbong who slotted the ball into the net.
Seven minutes later the Stipes counter attacked and it was Alexander Satariano who concluded over the bar.
It was Birkirkara all the way and nine minutes from the end of the first half a dangerous corner by Daniele Mariani was pushed away by the Valletta goalkeeper.
On the change of ends came Valletta’s first attack when Brandon Paiber saw his shot sail over the bar. On the other end Galea saved Mbong’s effort.
On 52 minutes an acrobatic shot by Dimech was tipped onto a corner by Zapytowski. The Citizens keep venturing forward and just past the hour Vega crossed towards Benites but the latters shot went over the bar.
Birkirkara could have sealed the issue twenty minutes from the end had not Satariano blasted over the bar when well placed. And on 80 minutes a Falcone grounder was saved by the Stripes custodian.
Valletta drew level and saved the match a minute into stoppage time when Federico Falcone’s perfect header gave Zapytowski no chance at all.
Photo Domenic Aquilina
