An Acheampomg goal early in the second half gave Birkirkara a slender but precious lead against Petrocub after the first leg of the first qualifying round of the Conference League.

It was a deserved victory for the Stripes who were the better team in the second half. Ex Sliema player Acheampong scored a very good goal in one of Birkirkara's rare attacks.

Petrocub had more of the ball in the first half and created the better chances, with Birkirkara goalkeeper Martines effecting some good saves.

The Stripes had their good mo‐ ments too and played gallantly and the scoreless draw by the half way line was a fair result.

The second half started on the same pattern but on 54 minutes Birkirkara broke the deadlock when ex‐Sliema player Geoffrey Acheampong pounced on a loose ball outside the area and darted forward, managing to find space inside the area and hitting home from an acute angle with the ball hitting the base of the upright before fin‐ ishing at the back of the net.

Birkirkara played the better football after taking the lead with Petrocub unable to stage a reaction.

The side from Moldova only managed to pile some pressure in the dying minutes but the Birkirkara rearguard never gave away an inch.

Birkirkara: Miguel Martinez, Luis Cordova, Stefan Mar‐ janovic, Alexander Satariano, Leandro Lacunza, Neil Micallef, Franlin Sasere, Marcos May‐ dana, Geoffrey Acheompong (Shaun Dimech 88 min), Dono‐ van Makoma, Lucas Macula (Kemar Reid 71 min).

FC Petrocub: Silviu Smalenea, Sergiu Platica, Petru Popescu (Mihai Lupan 65 min), Nicolae Rotaru (Maxim Cojocaru 65 min), Cedric Ngah, Dan Puscas (Dumitru Damian 72 min), Teodor Lungu, Jessie Djou, Ion Bors, Victor Bogaciuc (Cristian Pascaluta 81 min), Ion Jardan.

Referee: Ilioski Vlatko North Macedonia.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina