Stripes return to winning ways
by Ayrton Galea - 4th March 2017
Birkirkara FC returned to winning ways in the BOV Premier League, when Miguel Alba's goal before half-time was enough to beat Tarxien Rainbows with a 1-0 score.
In a tight contest, Birkirkara produced a satisfactory performance to take home all three precious points courtesy of Alba's free-kick. Thanks to this victory, the Stripes narrowed the gap with fourth-placed Floriana to just two points, while they are now three points under Valletta, but the latter have a game in hand.
The first-half was very balanced with Tarxien hitting the woodwork in the final moments of the first-half before Birkirkara broke the dead-lock. In the second half, the Stripes controlled well their lead by closing all the gaps, as they registered the first clean-sheet in seven matches.
Coach Nikola Jaros made three changes from the last match. Edward Herrera, Edmond Agius and Joseph Zerafa replaced Vito Plut, the suspended Ryan Scicluna and Gary Muir. Jhon Obregon was called-up for the first time since joining our Club.
The First Half
Tarxien threatened for an early goal twice inside the opening minutes. With the teams still settling in, Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia had a curling shot blocked by Bonello, while on the eighth minute, Nilsson had a powerful shot ending over.
The match developed to be a tug-of-war for possession inside the opening twenty-five minutes as both teams struggled to keep possession, with neither of the goalkeepers really tested. On the twenty-fifth minute, a weak shot by Nilsson failed to hit the target.
Birkirkara began to settle. Malan, off a cross by Zerafa, had his central header saved by goalkeeper Shranz on the half-hour mark, while three minutes later Alba's free-kick was headed over by the towering defender, Predrag Jovic.
Tarxien were unlucky not to surge ahead four minutes from half-time when Alex Nilsson beat the offside trap and had a powerful shot deflected by Bonello and smashing against the woodwork.
The Stripes broke the dead-lock before the end of the first-half. Zerafa was floored in a prominent position outside the box and the referee ordered the free-kick. From the resulting set-piece, Miguel Alba struck a curling free-kick which beat goalkeeper Schranz, aided with a slight deflection of Marcelina.
The Second Half
Birkirkara had a penalty-shout turned down five minutes inside the second half. Gonzalo Malan went down to the challenge of the Tarxien defender, but Referee Clayton Pisani waved play on.
Emerson Marcelina had a low free-kick blocked by the wall on the hour mark. The loose ball fell to Garcia who had a fine shot ending wide. Six minutes later, Mattew Tabone headed wide off a corner kick.
The Stripes went close to double their lead twenty minutes from time. A free-kick by Alba was short-cleared and the ball fell to the path of Edmond Agius who hit a thunderous drive, but goalkeeper Schranz produced an excellent save to keep his team in contention.
Nikola Vukanac had his header saved by goalkeeper Schranz, off a free-kick by Alba fourteen minutes from time. Four minutes later, Alex Nilsson had his powerful shot ending over the bar.
In the final five minutes, Nilsson had a shot from an ideal position ending wide. Then, Alba supplied an excellent through-ball towards substitute James Brincat who dashed alone inside the box but his shot was blocked by Schranz.
Miguel Alba was voted the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Henry Bonello, Edward Herrera (90+3' Steven Bonnici), Gareth Sciberras, Edmond Agius (90' James Brincat), Srdjan Dimitrov, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Miguel Alba, Cain Attard, Predrag Jovic, Gonzalo Malan (85' Vito Plut).
TARXIEN RAINBOWS: Philip Schranz, Ebiabowei Baker, Emerson Marcelina, Triston Caruana, Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia, Alex Nilsson, Ayrton Azzopardi (72' Dylan Micallef), Andrew Agius (62' Julian Galea), Daniel Zerafa, Matthew Tabone (79' Sacha Borg), Kurt Zammit.
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Thomas Debono.
Fourth Official: Mario Gauci.
Yellow Cards: 26' Miguel Alba, 33' Alex Nilsson, 46' Predrag Jovic, 47' Andrew Agius, 86' Cain Attard.
Scorers: 45' Miguel Alba (Birkirkara).
BOV Player of the Match: Miguel Alba (Birkirkara).
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