Birkirkara takes top spot in the BOV Premier League
by Ayrton Galea - 12th December 2013
Birkirkara are the sole leaders of the BOV Premier League, thanks to chalking up their seventh consecutive league victory, when they beat Sliema Wanderers with a score of 3-1 score.
Birkirkara are going through a brilliant moment in the BOV Premier League and on Tuesday, they had one of their best matches in this league campaign.
The incisive counter-attack plot by Birkirkara once again made all the difference. Jhonnattann Benites, who was voted yet again as the BOV Man of the Match, continuously supported by Shodiya, caused endless problems to the Sliema's rearguard.
Mr. Paul Zammit opted for a 4-3-2-1 formation as Jhonnattann Benites began up front supported by Shola Shodiya and Terence Vella on the wings. The first-eleven featured two changes from the 2-1 victory over Balzan. Edward Herrera replaced Zach Muscat on the right back, while Benites replaced Frank Temile .
On the other hand, Mr. Alfonso Greco, Sliema Wanderers Head Coach, had to do without the services of Abubaker Bello Osagie, who was injured, and Mark Scerri and Alessandro Rapino who were suspended. Sliema were boosted by the return of Stanley Ohawuchi.
The First Half
The Stripes went out aggressive and they lost no time to impose their game.
Just after six minutes, the Stripes threatened for the opening goal. Jhonnattann Benites had an in-swinging free-kick on the first post. Goalkeeper Henry Bonello had a fine save and from the rebound, the ball ended in a goal-kick.
The Stripes were awarded for their efforts with the opening goal of the match just three minutes later. In a fast break-away, Benites exchanged the ball with Shola Shodiya who sent the Brazilian player through , whose powerful shot from inside the box hit past the hapless Bonello.
Boosted by this excellent start, the Stripes continued to show the best ideas on the pitch. Sliema Wanderers were shocked and they failed to make any sort of reaction.
The tireless midfielder, Paul Fenech, had a vicious drive ending over by inches on the ninetieth minute. Just a minute later, Ryan Scicluna saw his acrobatic kick from inside the box scratching past the post, with Bonello beaten.
The Sliema's rear-guard were left wondering how they could contain Jhonnattann Benites. After being served by Shodiya, Jhonnattann showed great skill by dribbling a defender but he saw his shot ending millimetres wide.
Alex Muscat tried to make some form of a reaction. He had a surging run and drifted inside the area but his vicious shot hit the outside of the net.
Ten minutes from half time, Trevor Cilia had a fine free-kick saved by goalkeeper Justin Haber.
Five minutes later, Henry Bonello had to rush out and clear into safety, to deny Benites from receiving a fine through ball from the middle of the field.
The end of the first half found Birkirkara being rewarded for their excellent performance inside the first forty-five minutes by being one up.
The Second Half
The Stripes could have hardly asked for a better start in the second half as after just one minute, they doubled their lead. Nikola Vukanac sent a long clearance, with Clifford Gatt Baldacchino heading the ball backwards, only to concede possession to Jhonnattann Benites who all alone against Bonello, remained cool and fired home.
The Stripes went close to adding the third goal on the fiftieth minute. Shola Shodiya had a dangerous low free-kick ending wide. A minute later, Terence Vella had a header parried by goalkeeper Bonello off a cross from the right.
Ten minutes in the second half, Paul Fenech had a fine volley with Bonello easily neutralising the central effort of Fenech.
Sliema could have pulled-one back close to the hour-mark. Stanley Ohawuchi took possession from Paul Fenech in the middle of the field, and he advanced before serving Trevor Cilia on the right, who could have concluded much better, as his shot sailed wide past Justin Haber's posts.
With the Sliema's Head Coach sensing his team struggling to penetrate, Mr. Alfonso Greco utilised his first substitution on the sixty-fifth minute, when he withdrew Beppe Muscat who was replaced by the veteran forward, Ivan Woods in order to boost his attacking department.
However, just four minutes later, the Stripes showed their total superiority on the pitch as they scored the third goal. Paul Fenech made a powerful run down the right wing before delivering an excellent cross in direction of Alejandro Mendoza who served the ball to Nikola Vukanac whose rising effort beat Bonello.
With the three points in the bag, Mr. Paul Zammit made his first change nineteen minutes from times as, Jhonnattann Benites was replaced by Ryan Camenzuli, with the Brazilian player being deservedly applauded by the Birkirkara fans.
Following several weeks of absence, Gareth Sciberras made his return on the field, as he was included as a substitute on the seventy-seventh minute by replacing Shola Shodiya.
Eight minutes from time, Sliema Wanderers scored a consolation goal when referee Chris Lautier adjudicated that Edward Herrera floored Pape Gueye inside the box and ordered the penalty. Substitute Ivan Woods converted to narrow the gap.
In the third and last substitution for Birkirkara, Demba Toure replaced Terence Vella, on the eighty-third minute.
Sliema Wanderers, all out on the attack, tried to narrow further the gap but their hopes fell short as referee's Chris Lautier final whistle found Birkirkara notching their seventh consecutive league victory.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Edward Herrera, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Scicluna, Paul Fenech, Terence Vella (83' Demba Toure), Jhonnattann Benites (71' Ryan Camenzuli), Shola Shodiya (77' Gareth Sciberras).
SLIEMA W: Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, John Mintoff, Stanley Ohawuchi, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Trevor Cilia, Pape Gueye, Paltemio Barbetti, Matias Muchardi, Beppe Muscat (65' Ivan Woods), Stefano Biancardi.
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Assistant Referees: Sammy Attard, Peter Abela.
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia.
Yellow Cards: 9' Jhonnattann Benites, 26' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara), 42' Paltemio Barbetti.
Scorers: 9' Jhonnattann Benites, 46' Jhonnattann Benites, 69' Nikola Vukanac (Birkirkara) 82' Ivan Woods (Sliema Wanderers).
BOV Man of the Match: Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara).
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