Early goal enough for Birkirkara
by Ayrton Galea - 14th January 2012
In a match that left all the Birkirkara supporters breathless following the amount of goal chances wasted, 'The Stripes' returned to winning ways in a narrow 1-0 win over Marsaxlokk.
Mr. Paul Zammit made several changes from the last match as Ryan Camenzuli replaced suspended Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Scicluna replaced Angus Buhagiar and Trevor Cilia replaced Terence Vella. The latest acquisition, Brazilian winger Jorge had a successful debut thanks to a fine performance.
Moises Avila Perez, although losing several good chances, did what matters most, by scoring the winning goal and his ninth goal of the season.
On a more positive note, there were several players who had a good performance namely Rowen Muscat, Jorge Santos Silva and Trevor Cilia.
The First Half
In this half, Birkirkara dominated from the first whistle by creating several good chances but they failed to turn them into goals, apart from one. On the other hand, Marsaxlokk operated with the counter attacks and were unlucky when Gary Mercieca hit the crossbar thanks to a fine header.
The match could not open better for Birkirkara as took the lead after just four minutes, when following a freekick by Alan Tabone, Moises Avila Perez headed past goalkeeper Cassar.
Moises Avila Perez could have increased the lead, when on the 9h minute, in an open chance against the goalkeeper; his powerful shot was turned into a corner kick.
Marsaxlokk almost equalised two minutes later when a following fine cross from the left, Gary Mercieca beat Reuben Gauci but he was denied by the crossbar.
On the 12th minute, Trevor Cilia had a shot on goal ending over the bar.
In a perfect opportunity to increase the lead, on the 20th minute, Moises Avila Perez sent a perfect through-ball towards Alan Tabone who all alone against the goalkeeper, had his central shot turned into a corner kick.
Birkirkara appealed for penalty on the 26th minute when Jorge Santos Silva seemed to be floored inside the box but the referee waved play on.
On the 30th minute, a golden opportunity to score was lost. With three Birkirkara players against the goalkeeper, Trevor Cilia passed to Moises Avila Perez who failed to connect well and his tap ended wide.
Trevor Cilia was unlucky not to make them two when his low shot scratched past the post on the 35th minute.
A shot from outside the box by Jorge Santos Silva was parried by the goalkeeper on the 40th minute.
In the last action of the first half, Jean Paul Farrugia of Marsaxlokk had a shot ending over the bar.
The Second Half
The second half was nothing different with Birkirkara continuing to waste open chances in front of the goal. In the last minutes, Marsaxlokk tried to grab the equaliser but they were denied by the solid Birkirkara defence.
Birkirkara almost scored the second goal when on the first minute of the second half, a fine cross by Jorge Santos Silva was powerfully headed by Shaun Bajada but the effort ended wide by mere centimetres.
Trevor Cilia had a low shot turned into a corner kick on the 48th minute.
Following a fast run on the right wing by Trevor Cilia, his cross was deflected into a corner kick. From the following corner, Rodrigo headed over the bar on the 52nd minute.
Another opportunity squandered by Birkirkara, on the 56th minute. With Moises Avila Perez and Trevor Cilia all alone against the goalkeeper, the Spanish striker's shot was parried by the goalkeeper.
On the 72nd minute, following a very good combination consisting of several one touches, Jorge Santos Silva back heels the ball to Moises Avila Perez who also back heeled the ball to Leighton Grech and all alone against the goalkeeper, his shot ended over.
A powerful drive by Paul Fenech from a long distance ended wide on the 75th minute.
Birkirkara were unlucky not to make them two on the 79th minute, when Angus Buhagiar caught the goalkeeper out of position and lobbed the ball well but he was denied by a defender who headed away the danger.
On the 83rd minute, Moises Avila Perez had a shot which scratched past the post from a diagonal position.
A good solo run by Jorge Santos Silva ended with a fine shot saved by the goalkeeper two minutes from time which was the last action of the game before the referee blow the final whistle.
Birkirkara: Reuben Gauci, Paul Fenech, Ryan Camenzuli (64' Leighton Grech), Rodrigo Pereira, Shaun Bajada, Trevor Cilia (75' Angus Buhagiar), Rowen Muscat, Ryan Scicluna, Alan Tabone (91' Michael Camilleri), Jorge Santos Silva, Moises Avila Perez.
Subs not used: Karl Magri, Andrew Decesare, Andre Cassar, Matthew Bugeja.
Coach: Paul Zammit
Assistant Coach: Peter Pullicino
Marsaxlokk: Christian Cassar, Modesto Valeriani, Craig Debattista, Sacha Borg (77' Stefan Cutajar), Jonathan Xerri, Kevin Polidano, Jean Paul Farrugia, Gary Caruana, Trevor Templeman, Darrell Grech (86' Manuel Caruana), Nemanja Stoskovic
Subs not used: Christian Gafa, Darren Tabone, Dylan Attard, Paul Paris
Coach: Anton Cremona
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Roberto Vella
Fourth Official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara), Trevor Templeman, Craig Debattista (Marsaxlokk)
Scorer: 5' Moises Avila Perez
Man of the match: Christian Cassar (Marsaxlokk)
comments powered by Disqus
