Depleted Birkirkara move to third place
by Ayrton Galea - 6th May 2012
A heavily depleted Birkirkara side moved to the third place thanks to a 4-1 win over Sliema Wanderers, with a very solid performance.
It was a very satisfactory win which saw Birkirkara making their intentions clear to notice right from the start, scoring two goals early in the first half. After Sliema Wanderers reduced the gap in the first half, one might have thought that Birkirkara would reduce their performance but this definitely was not the case.
Birkirkara had five players suspended, that is, Angus Buhagiar, Nikola Vukanac, Rodrigo Pereira, Rowen Muscat and Shaun Bajada. Jorge Santos Silva started the match on the reserves bench, following his recovery from injury.
Birkirkara adopted a 4-3-3 formation with Shola Shodiya, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Moises Avila Perez forming the attacking department. After making his debut against Balzan Youths, Fabian Zammit started the match for the first time.
Alan Tabone had a very satisfactory match scoring a brace with the second goal being scored from long distance shot. Moises Avila Perez and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who scored a goal each also had a good outing.
The First Half
In the first action of the match, Ryan Camenzuli almost put Birkirkara ahead, when on the 2nd minute his powerful drive was denied by the crossbar. In the same minute, following a cross on the 2nd minute, Fabian Zammit headed wide.
On the 5th minute, following a corner from the right, Moises Avila Perez headed wide. In another corner for Birkirkara on the 9th minute, Paul Fenech's volley went over.
Birkirkara took the lead on the 13th minute. Following a perfect pass to Jean Pierre Mifsud, his first attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper, and from the rebound Moises Avila Perez tapped in.
Birkirkara made them two on the 17th minute. Ryan Scicluna crossed to Moises Avila Perez who sent another cross and Alan Tabone slotted home.
Moises Avila Perez had a fine shot turned into corner by Anthony Curmi on the 19th minute.
Sliema Wanderers reduced the gap on the 25th minute. Following a low cross, Trevor Cilia beat Gauci.
A long distance shot by Daniel Mitev for Sliema was saved by Gauci on the 27th minute.
A shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was saved by Curmi on the 33rd minute.
A cross shot by Trevor Cilia on the 33rd minute was deflected by Gauci, with the ball hitting the crossbar and it was then cleared by Ryan Camenzuli.
Birkirkara and Ryan Camenzuli were unlucky once again, when he had another shot hitting the post on the 36th minute. Off the rebound Moises Avila Perez hit home but the goal was disallowed for an offside position.
A free-kick by Daniel Mitev on the 39th minute ended way over.
The first half ended with Birkirkara having a narrow 2-1 lead.
The Second Half
The second half saw Birkirkara adding another two goals in the early stages and then just controlling the play, aiming not to concede any goals.
In the first action of the second half, Birkirkara regained the two goal lead on the 49 minute when Alan Tabone scored a great goal from a long distance to score his second personal goal on the day.
In the first substitution for Sliema Wanderers on the 50th minute, Ryan Grech replaced Mark Scerri.
Shola Shodiya missed a great opportunity when on the 54th minute his shot from an ideal position ended totally wide.
A long distance shot by Paul Fenech on the 56th minute ended over the bar.
Birkirkara scored the fourth goal on the 62nd minute thanks to a great counter attack. Fabian Zammit made a perfect pass towards Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who advanced and his low shot beat Curmi.
In the second substitution for Sliema on the 64th minute, Steve Bezzina replaced Andrew Cagliari.
In the first substitution for Birkirkara on the 65th minute, Jorge Santos Silva replaced Moises Avila Perez who had a satisfactory performance.
Trevor Cilia was replaced by Cleavon Frendon on the 67th minute in the last substitution for Sliema Wanderers. Trevor was applauded by the Birkirkara supporters as a sign for respect to their former player.
Jorge Santos Silva had a weak shot saved by Curmi on the 71st minute.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had a powerful shot ending over on the 73rd minute after he was served by Shola Shodiya.
Sliema Wanderers had a fine shot on the 74th minute saved by Gauci.
Daniel Mitev had a shot for Sliema Wanderers on the 75th minute saved by Gauci.
In the second substitution for Birkirkara, Michael Camilleri replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 75th minute.
A direct freekick by Daniel Mitev on the 84th minute ended over.
In the third and last substitution, Ian Schembri made his debut in the Premier League when on the 85th minute he replaced Alan Tabone.
The final whistle found the Birkirkara supporters applauding the team for a great performance, and for climbing back to the third place in the league, with one match to go.
Alan Tabone was voted as the BOV man of the match.
Birkirkara: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Scicluna, Gareth Sciberras, Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Camenzuli, Fabian Zammit, Alan Tabone (85' Ian Schembri), Paul Fenech, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (75' Michael Camilleri), Shola Shodiya, Moises Avila Perez (Jorge Santos Silva).
Sliema Wanderers: Anthony Curmi, Alex Muscat, Ryan Fenech, Nikola Bogdanovic, Josef Mifsud, Mark Scerri (50' Ryan Grech), Daniel Mitev, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Trevor Cilia (67' Cleavon Frendo), Andrew Cagliari (64' Steve Bezzina), Beppe Muscat.
Scorers: 13' Moises Avila Perez, 17' Alan Tabone, 49' Alan Tabone, 64' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara), 25' Trevor Cilia (Sliema Wanderers)
Yellow Cards: Fabian Zammit, Moises Avila Perez, Michael Camilleri (Birkirkara), Daniel Mitev, Josef Mifsud (Sliema Wanderers)
Man of the match: Alan Tabone
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