Birkirkara back in third place with an easy win

by Ayrton Galea - 10th April 2012

Birkirkara moved back to third place yesterday evening thanks to a five-star performance which saw them humiliating Balzan Youths with a 5-0 score.

In the biggest victory of the season, Birkirkara were dominant right from the first whistle, giving no chance to the opponent to give any reply as 'The Stripes' continued to dominate and score goals.

Mr. Paul Zammit chose a 4-3-3 formation and made two changes from the last match against Sliema Wanderers. Injured Paul Fenech and Shaun Bajada were replaced with Shola Shodiya, who was back after serving one match ban, and Rowen Muscat.

Without any doubt, the players that mostly caught the eye in this match were the three forwards Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Shola Shodiya and Jorge Santos Silva. The first two managed to score the third and fourth goal respectively while Santos Silva had a great match and was voted as the man of the match.

Other players that had a fine performance were Ryan Scicluna ,who scored his first goal this season, and the two central backs Rodrigo Pereira, who also found the net and Nikola Vukanac who was very solid at the back.

Other notable points were the return from injury of Alan Tabone, who was included as a substitute, and the Premier League debut for the goalkeeper, Karl Magri who also came in as a substitute.

This win enabled Birkirkara to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches and completing the third round unbeaten.

The First Half

Right from the start Birkirkara showed their intentions, but it was a penalty-kick that put Birkirkara in the lead. From then onwards, Birkirkara dominated and added another two goals before the half time whistle to practically close the match.

Balzan had their first attempt on the 3rd minute, from a free-kick just outside the box was blocked by the wall. One minute later, on the other side of the pitch, following a fine solo run by Jorge Santos Silva, the Balzan custodian Frederick Tabone saved the danger.

Birkirkara had a long distance shot hitting the side of the net on the 9th minute and just three minutes later, following another good run by Jorge Santos Silva, his cross was met with a shot which ended wide.

Balzan replied with a long distance shot on the 15th minute which ended wide.

Birkirkara took the lead on the 23rd minute, when a free-kick by Rodrigo Pereira was handled inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. From the eleven metres, it was the same Rodrigo Pereira who scored.

Reuben Gauci made a fine outing to save a dangerous cross for Balzan from the left on the 26th minute.

Balzan Youths had a shot deflected into corner on the 28th minute and from the resulting corner-kick, Birkirkara cleared.

Birkirkara made them two on the 32nd minute when Jorge Santos Silva's effort was blocked by the defender, and from the rebound, Ryan Scicluna surprised the goalkeeper with a low shot.

After some moments where both teams failed to create any opportunity, Birkirkara could have made them three on the 41st minute. Following a fine combination between Shola Shodiya and Jorge Santos Silva, the latter rounded the goalkeeper, served Shola Shodiya but the defender cleared the danger.

In the last action of the first half, Birkirkara made them three. From a short clearance from a corner-kick, Shola Shodiya found Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who beat goalkeeper Frederick Tabone from close range.

The Second Half

The story in the second half did not change as Birkirkara continued to dominate the game and added another two goals to the tally.

Birkirkara almost made them four on the 47th minute when following a fine run by Shola Shodiya, his final shot scratched past the post.

On the 50th minute, Jorge Santos Silva had a freekick ending wide.

Birkirkara made them four on the 56th minute when following a fast break-away, Ryan Scicluna served Jorge Santos Silva who released Shola Shodiya and all alone against the goalkeeper, he slotted home.

On the hour mark, Mr. Paul Zammit utilised the first substitution as Angus Buhagiar was replaced with Alan Tabone who was making his return following a long-term injury. Ryan Scicluna fell to the right back position.

Karl Magri made his Premier League debut when he was included as a substitute on the 62nd minute, replacing Reuben Gauci.

Birkirkara could have added another goal on the 70th minute. Sholda Shodiya had a good run and entered the box, crossed to the middle, but his pass was too short and was cleared by the defender.

Birkirkara were unlucky on the 71st minute when a fine shot from outisde the box by Alan Tabone scratched the post. Just a minute later, Shodiya passed towards Gareth Sciberras, but the latter's shot was blocked and turned into a corner kick.

In the third and last substitution for Birkirkara, Moises Avila Perez was included for Nikola Vukanac, and Gareth Sciberras took the position of a central defender.

It did not take long for Moises Avila Perez to leave his mark, as on the 77th minute, Birkirkara made them five. Following a perfect pass, Moises controlled the ball, advanced inside the box and his low shot beat Tabone.

Birkirkara continued to hunt for more goals and on the 81st minute, Shola Shodiya served Moises Avila Perez in an ideal position but his effort ended wide. Moises was in action once again as on the 85th minute, when he rounded two players before his long distance shot ended over the bar.

In the last action of the match, Joseph Zerafa performed a powerful fast solo run before serving Shola Shodiya whose fine cross failed to be met by anyone.

The full time whistle found the Birkirkara supporters applauding the players for the five-star performance while hoping that these recent performances will continue in the matches to come.

Jorge Santos Silva was voted as the BOV man of the match.

BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci (62' Karl Magri), Angus Buhagiar (60' Alan Tabone), Nikola Vukanac (72' Moises Avila Perez), Rodrigo Pereira, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Scicluna, Rowen Muscat, Jorge Santos Silva, Shola Shodiya, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

BALZAN YOUTHS: Frederick Tabone, Glenn Bonello (63' Bjorn Bondin), Yessous Camilleri, Bledjon Guga, Rennie Forace, Jamie Pace, Dylan Grima, Nikola Tasic, Martin Deanov, Lydon Micallef (84' Nicholas Zammit), Miguel Ciantar (73' Michael Borg)

Referee Esther Azzopardi

Scorers: 23' Rodrigo Pereira, 32' Ryan Scicluna, 56' Shola Shodiya, 77' Moises Avila Perez.

Yellow Cards: Moises Avila Perez

Man of the match: Jorge Santos Silva

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