M’Xlokk and Birkirkara failed to live up to expectations when in the first match played at the National Stadium on Saturday they figured out in a stale goaless draw.  

A clash between two teams who are in search of making it into European football at the end of this campaign. In fact following the Seasiders defeat at the hands of Mosta in their last match, Birkirkara grabbed the opportunity and prior to this match were on level terms.

Missing for Marsaxlokk Jacob Walker who was suspended for this match. Winston Muscat boys have to find the performances and winning formulas which they hit in the first part of the season in order to reach their main objective.

In the first round match between the two sides a brace by Yuri Messias gave the maximum points to Marsaxlokk.

The first half lacked goalmouth action with the first chance coming from Marsaxlokk when a Nikolai Muscat shot was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. Birkirkara had their best and only chance three minutes from the break when Satariano had his acute shot partially saved by goalkeeper Drobnyak before the ball was finally cleared to safety.

The second half was played on the same pattern as the first forty five minutes. In fact few were the moments that the respective goalkeepers were called into action.

On 73 minutes Marsaxlokk had the best chance of the match when a Gomes Junior shot from the edge of the area hit the crossbar with goalkeeper Zapytowski completely beaten.

M’Xlokk tried to find the net through long range shots but the match remained locked with neither team venturing forward and lacking composure.

Photo: DOmenic Aquilina