Birkirkara trounce Mosta with seven

by Ayrton Galea - 21st January 2013

After last week's defeat against Valletta despite playing for fifty minutes with one player more, some might have started to doubt in Birkirkara's strength. The Stripes could not have reacted any better as they turned on the style by hitting Mosta with a 7-1 score.

After losing the top of the table clash, and sliding back to the third place, there was no need to remind the Stripes of the importance of this match to get back on track. Giving an almost perfect display, Birkirkara once again confirmed their true potential as they bounced back on a high note.

No need to say, dominant from the starting to the last whistle, Birkirkara's eagerness was too much to Mosta who seemed demoralised and out of ideas to react after they conceded the first goal. Daniel Mitev's direct strike from a freekick just before the half whistle did not change much, except to make Birkirkara came out even stronger and notch another four goals.

Birkirkara's shining star for another match was the BOV player of December, Jhonnattann who netted a hat-trick besides, being a continuous torment to Mosta's defence, who found it too hard to deal with his velocity. However, it was not only the Brazilian player who had a magnificent performance as Paul Fenech, Edward Herrera and Ryan Camenzuli all delivered an outstanding performance.

Keeping faith in his 3-5-2 formation, Mr. Paul Zammit had a bit of relief by the return of several key players from injury or suspension. Rodrigo Pereira replaced Joseph Zerafa, Yosimar Hernandez made space to Gareth Sciberras and Ryan Scicluna, injured, was replaced by Ryan Camenzuli, the latter returning from a suspension. Besides Scicluna, Nikola Vukanac, Godwin McKay and Ini Akpan were missing with the latter being suspended for failing to undergo a medical test.

The latest acquisition, National goalkeeper Justin Haber, was unavailable for this match as his transfer was not registered in time. Jonathan Martinelli was the reserve goalkeeper for the Stripes.

The First Half

Aggressive from the start, Birkirkara started the match brightly as they did not take long to take the lead and began to impose their match. A cross on the second post found Shola Shodiya who headed in direction of Jhonnattann who tapped the ball home to put the Stripes in front after just five minutes.

Paul Fenech had a fine shot turned into a corner kick in the sixth minute. From the resulting corner kick, a canon shot by Ryan Camenzuli ended wide.

The Stripes should have doubled the lead on the quarter of an hour mark when they were awarded a penalty. Defender Fernando Apap handled the ball inside the box and referee Chris Lautier pointed to the spot. Shola Shodiya converted the first attempt but the referee ordered the replay as some players entered the penalty box before taking the kick. From the second attempt, Shodiya's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.

One could think that this penalty lost might change in some way the story of the match but this was not to be, as Birkirkara remained calm, yet aggressive which left Mosta finding it hard to lift their level to Birkirkara's rhythm of the match.

The first reaction for Mosta had to wait till the 20th minute when Danail Mitev had a freekick from a dangerous position but his effort ended totally over.

A minute later, the Stripes went near once again. Gareth Sciberras made a fine solo action cutting down inside the box before he tried to serve Shodiya but his ball was cleared into a corner kick.

On the 23 minutes, Edward Herrera had a very fine run down the right wing before delivering a perfect cross which Jhonnattann headed wide.

However, Birkirkara's aggressiveness was too much for the Blues as the Stripes deservingly doubled the lead on the 25th minute. Jhonnattan made some fine work on the left wing, cutting down inside the box before serving Paul Fenech whose shot hit the crossbar, and off the rebound the same player served Shodiya who hit home from close range.

Hardly two minutes later, Birkirkara once again created a fine action which nearly put them three up. Jhonnattann served Edward Herrera whose tap ended wide in front of an open goal.

However, it was not for long before Mosta received another blow, as the Stripes made them three on the half hour mark. Following a fast break-through, Paul Fenech sent a perfect lob over Mosta's rear guard in the direction of Jhonnattann who cutely lobbed over goalkeeper Farrugia and then slotted home in an empty net.

With three goals down in the first half, Mosta tried to react and on the 40th minute, Tyrone Farrugia had a dangerous header ending over, following a cross from the right.

Just before the half time whistle, Mosta pulled one back. Danail Mitev's direct freekick from 30 metres surprised Reuben Gauci and ended at the back of the net.

The first half produced no less than four goals, with the Stripes having a comfortable 3-1 lead.

The Second Half

Mitev's goal just before the half time whistle could have put Mosta back on their feet however, Birkirkara made them four and Jhonnattann completed his hat-trick. Shola Shodiya served Jhonnattann whose first time volley left Farrugia staring to re-open a three goal lead for the Stripes.

That was Jhonnattann's last contribution to the match as the hat-trick hero made way to Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, receiving a much deserved standing ovation on his way out.

Twenty minutes from the end Birkirkara made them five. Substitute Yosimar Hernandez showed some great touches on the ball, throwing Mosta's Manolito Micallef off balance before sending a second post cross with Herrera having an easy task in heading home.

Five quickly became six as hardly a minute later, Shola Shodiya made the best out of Bryan Agius' blunder by beating Farrugia for his second personal goal.

Shodiya should have completed his hat trick on the 75 minutes when Ryan Camenzuli sent Shodiya through but his powerful shot from an ideal position scratched past the crossbar. Three minutes later, following a corner, Camenzuli had a fine shot ending over.

On the other hand side of the pitch, Danail Mitev had a freekick ending over on the 81st minute.

Besides a magnificent performance and the biggest win in the league by netting six goals so far, the Birkirkara supporters had more to cheer to. Joselito Dos Reis, the Brazilian player who had impressed in the pre-season matches before suffering a long term injury, made his return for the Stripes, replacing Shola Shodiya on the 83 minute.

Two minutes from time and Birkirkara added another goal to their list. Joselito Dos Reis quickly left his mark, as he sent an outstanding cross in direction of Edward Herrera who anticipated goalkeeper Farrugia, and Mifsud Triganza took the ball and put his name on the score-sheet by scoring a tight angle goal.

Scorer of a hat-trick, Jhonnattann was named the BOV player of the match.

BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Rodrigo Pereira, Edward Herrera, Gareth Sciberras (68' Yosimar Hernandez), Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Jhonnattann Benites(60' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Shola Shodiya (83' Joselito Dos Reis)

MOSTA: Jeffrey Farrugia, Ferdinando Apap, Bryan Agius, Manolito Micallef, Steve Chiemeka, Jonathan Bajada (54' Wayne Chetcuti), Danail Mitev, Carlos Campagnioli, David Maia Dos Santos, Ryan Grech (78' Steve Schembri), Tyrone Farrugia.

Scorers: 5' Jhonnattann, 25' Shola Shodiya, 30' Jhonnattann, 60' Jhonnattann, 70' Edward Herrera, 71' Shola Shodiya, 88' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara), 45' Danail Mitev (Mosta)

BOV Player of the match: Jhonnattann Benites.

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