Magnificent Stripes outclass Balzan
by Ayrton Galea - 2nd November 2015
Birkirkara FC moved temporarily to the top of the BOV Premier League table with a magnificent performance, when they returned to winning ways by defeating Balzan FC with a 4-1 result, thanks to a brace by Zach Muscat ,and a goal each by Paul Fenech and Ryan Scicluna.
In a brilliant evening for the Stripes, they surged ahead early in the match but they conceded an equaliser just before the half-time. However, the second half saw the Stripes dominating right from the start to score another three goals and register three precious points.
It was a deserved victory for Mr. Giovanni Tedesco's side, who dictated matters right from the start. They dominated possession for long periods, besides continuously threatening with their dangerous scoring opportunities. Thanks to this victory, Birkirkara joined Valletta at the top of the table, but the latter have a game in hand, as tomorrow they face Mosta.
Defender Zach Muscat stole the limelight by giving an outstanding performance. He was not only top-notch at the back, but also proved his scoring skills by hitting home twice, from assists by Miccoli.
Coach Tedesco kept faith in the 3-1-4-2 formation but he made two changes from the last match against Hibernians. Gareth Sciberras was drifted in the midfield department replacing Marcelina Emerson, while Plut regained a first-eleven call at the expenses of Ellinton Morais.
Haber defended the posts, with Mauricio Mazzetti, Nikola Vukanac and Zach Muscat forming the three-line defence. Gareth Sciberras was deployed in front of the defence, while Rowen Muscat and Paul Fenech composed the midfield, supported by wing-backs Joseph Zerafa and Ryan Camenzuli. Miccoli and Plut formed the attacking tandem.
The First Half
Birkirkara survived an early scare as Balzan went close after four minutes. Alfred Effiong sprinted inside the box and his curling shot hit the up-right, and from the rebound Haber made a fine save before the action was brought to an end for an offside position.
This proved to be a wake-up call for the Stripes and they quickly took control. Just a minute later, Zach Muscat surged down the right flank before his well-timed cross saw Vito Plut having his fine header ending wide by inches.
Birkirkara came close in their next scoring opportunity. It was a well-built action from the left that saw Fenech put Zerafa through on the left. The latter served Gareth Sciberras who his first-time shot turned into a corner thanks to a fine save by goalkeeper Christian Cassar.
With the Stripes in command, it was no surprise that they converted their superiority in the opening goal on the thirteenth minute. Luke Sciberras fouled Ryan Camenzuli and from the resulting free-kick, Miccoli was quick to deliver a fine free-kick on the second post that saw Zach Muscat acting fast to hit past Cassar to put Birkirkara in the lead.
Following the opening goal, the match reduced in its tempo but Birkirkara remained dictating matters. Balzan's weak reaction only involved a shot from Effiong, which ended wide and over while Miccoli had a direct free-kick hitting the wall.
The Stripes should have added their second goal on the half-hour. Camenzuli's runs down the right-flank continued to be tormenting, as the speedy left-footed player cut to the middle before unzipping the defence with a perfect pass to Plut, but his central shot was saved by Cassar.
Birkirkara were threatening to double the lead but it was Balzan who grabbed the equaliser just before the half-time whistle. Dylan Grima's free-kick failed to be cleared by the Birkirkara defence and Maxim Focsa placed the ball at the back of the net.
The first-half ended odds even.
The Second Half
Vito Plut gave a reminder of his technical abilities seven minutes into the second half when he dribbled past two players, but his shot from an ideal position inside the box was blocked perfectly by a Balzan defender.
Fabrizio Miccoli had a direct free-kick blocked by Cassar on the fifty-sixth minute, while four minutes later, Fenech had a dangerous cross-shot turned into safety by goalkeeper Cassar as the Stripes continued to show the better ideas.
With the Stripes all over their opponents, they regained the lead on the sixty-second minute. Vito Plut anticipated the on-rushing goalkeeper before serving Paul Fenech who slammed the ball home from a diagonal angle.
Two became three just four minutes later. It was another well delivered free-kick by Miccoli on the second post, with Zach Muscat sliding full stretch to hit past goalkeeper Cassar to score his second personal goal and the third for the Stripes.
In Birkirkara's first-substitution on the sixty-eighth minute, Vito Plut was replaced by Ellinton Morais, as the Birkirkara Coach sought for a fresh pair of legs up-front.
Balzan were stunned by Birkirkara's two quick goals and their match turned into an uphill struggle. They lacked ideas with Haber hardly tested, bar a free-kick by Justin Grioli on the seventy-eighth minute, but the latter's shot ended over the bar.
Gareth Sciberras was replaced by Ryan Scicluna in Birkirkara's second substitution on the seventy-ninth minute.
Scicluna made a quick impact. Just six minutes on the field, he netted the fourth goal ,when he sprinted forward to collect a pass from Ellinton Morais, and then hit hard past Cassar to seal the emphatic victory.
Scorer of a brace Zach Muscat was voted the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Mauricio Mazzetti, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras (79' Ryan Scicluna, Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Fabrizio Miccoli (83' Frank Temile), Vito Plut (68' Ellinton Morais)
BALZAN: Christian Cassar, Dylan Grima, Maxim Focsa (80' Ryan Darmanin), Steven Bezzina, Justin Grioli, Lydon Micallef (53' Godwin Mensha) (73' Terence Agius), Clive Brincat, Alfred Effiong, Samir Arab, Luke Sciberras, Aleksander Vujacic.
Referee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Martin Borg
Fourth Official: Esther Azzopardi.
Yellow Cards: 76' Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Lydon Micallef, Alfred Effiong, Aleksander Vujacic.
Scorers: 13' Zach Muscat, 62' Paul Fenech, 66' Zach Muscat, 85' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara), 45' Maxim Focsa (Balzan).
BOV Player of the Match: Zach Muscat (Birkirkara).
