Stripes beat Mosta 3-0

by Ayrton Galea - 1st April 2017

Birkirkara FC returned to winning ways and climbed temporarilly to the fourth place in the BOV Premier League, when they registered a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mosta FC.

The Stripes were streets ahead their opponents throughout the ninety minutes and there was no doubt where the three points were going, following an early own goal that paved their way. Alba doubled the lead in the first-half before Dimitrov wrapped-up the victory with a third late goal.

By this victory, the Stripes moved back to the fourth place, five points under Valletta and one over Floriana. However, both teams have a game in hand as tomorrow they will go head to head in the much-awaited derby.

Coach Nikola Jaros affected three changes from the last match. Promising youngsters James Brincat and Matthew Guillaumier were given the nod for the start, as they replaced Edward Herrera and Edmond Agius. In the other change, Gonzalo Malan returns from a one-match.

The First Half

Birkirkara surged ahead after seven minutes. A free-kick from the right was deflected by the Mosta defender Tyrone Farrugia into his own net.

The Stripes created a good chance to double their lead on the nineteenth minute. Miguel Alba served Gareth Sciberras outside the box and the latter's first-time shot was blocked by goalkeeper Yenz Cini.

Birkirkara produced another fine scoring opportunity on the twenty-eighth minute. Gonzalo Malan stole possession from the defender, drifted inside the box and served Srdjan Dimitrov, but his shot was blocked by Cini.

The Stripes doubled the lead on the thirty-fourth minute. Alba, the playmaker in form, did well to avoid the challenge of two defenders, as he dashed inside the box and kept his cool to place a low shot past goalkeeper Cini.

Two almost three just two minutes later. Alba delivered a well-taken corner kick on the second post, but Christian Bubalovic's header was denied with an excellent save of goalkeeper Cini.

Dimitrov was unlucky not to increase Birkirkara's lead six minutes from half-time. The playmaker produced a brilliant solo-action and went on trying a curling low strike, but his shot came off the foot of the post, with Cini beaten.

The Second Half

Dimitrov drifted inside the box ten minutes inside the second half, but his pass towards Malan was intercepted by a defender. Following a short clearance, Mislav Andelkovic tried his luck with a shot from outside the box but his effort ended wide.

On the hour mark, Alba's cross found Sciberras who served Gonzalo Malan, but the latter's shot from a good position inside the box ended over. Seven minutes later, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza tried to lob over goalkeeper Bonello, but his effort ended wide.

The Stripes were unlucky not to make the score three on the seventy-first minute. Cain Attard supplied a fine pass towards Malan, who beat the offside trap, and his powerful screamer from distance smashed against the crossbar. Moments later, Attard's shot was saved by Cini.

Birkirkara made them three on the seventy-sixth minute. Sciberras' high-pressing saw him winning possession from the defender and served Dimitrov, who calmly placed the ball at the back of the net, past the helpless Cini.

The Stripes had the ball at the back of the net once again three minutes from time, when Dimitrov's shot beat Cini, but his goal was disallowed for an offside position.

Scorer of the third goal, Srdjan Dimitrov was voted the BOV Player of the Match.

BIRKIRKARA: Henry Bonello, Christian Bubalovic, Gareth Sciberras, Matthew Guillaumier, Mislav Andelkovic, Srdjan Dimitrov, Nikola Vukanac (68' Steven Bonnici), Miguel Alba (79' Edmond Agius), Cain Attard, Gonzalo Malan, James Brincat (63' Edward Herrera).

MOSTA: Yenz Cini, Francis Onwindinjo (63' Zachary Brincat), Kurt Magro, Mario Toth, David Fenech, Kyle Frendo, Njongo Priso, Adrian Caruana, Emerson Vella (32' Heron Miranda), Tyrone Farrugia (23' Dexter Xuereb), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

Referee: Stefan Pace.
Assistant Referees: Martin Borg, Ryan Aquilina.
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow Cards: 52' Nikola Vukanac (Birkirkara).

Scorers: 7' Own Goal, 34' Miguel Alba, 74' Srdjan Dimitrov (Birkirkara).

BOV Player of the Match: Srdjan Dimitrov (Birkirkara).

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