Late goal sinks Stripes
by Ayrton Galea - 17th September 2017
Birkirkara FC suffered the second defeat in the last three matches of the BOV Premier League, as a goal four minutes from time by Gonzalo Virano handed Senglea Athletic a dramatic 1-0 victory.
In a balanced encounter, the Stripes failed to turn their superiority of the second half and they ended-up empty-handed as Senglea scored a late goal to extend their positive start in the league. For the Stripes, this was the second defeat in the last three matches.
Coach Paul Zammit made two changes from the last match as debutant Landry Mulemo and Matthew Guillaumier replaced the injured Luke Montebello and Llywelyn Cremona. On the other hand, Under-19's Team player Ayrton Attard was called-up for the first time.
The First Half
Birkirkara suffered a setback after just two minutes. Lucas Maia suffered an injury and was unable to continue playing. Alexander Nilsson replaced the Brazilian defender on the seventh minute.
The unexpected early substitution forced Coach Paul Zammit to adjust his tactics, as Mulemo moved to centre-back while Camenzuli was deployed as left-back. Nilsson was included as the left-wing.
The Stripes created the first scoring opportunity after fifteen minutes. N'for did fine work to serve Attard on the wing, and his cross on the second post found Camenzuli, who however miscued his effort and ended wide.
Senglea threatened first mid-way the first-half when a corner kick by Paz created havoc inside the box, but the Stripes managed to clear the ball into safety. The Stripes replied with a free-kick by Bruno Andrade that ended wide.
Two minutes from half-time, Birkirkara had their first shot on goal, when Matthew Guillaumier's low shot was saved by goalkeeper Timothy Aquilina, as the first half ended goal-less.
The Second Half
Ivan Paz had a shot ending wide three minutes inside the second half for Senglea. Moments later, Grech served Nilsson but the latter lost his balance and his effort ended wide from an ideal position inside the box.
Senglea had a goal disallowed for an offside position on the fifty-fifth minute as Nicolas Palmieri's close-range effort was cancelled for an offside position.
The Stripes created their best opportunity three minutes inside the hour mark. Andelkovic served an excellent through-ball towards Guillaumier, who did well to anticipate Bonnici, but his close-range effort was turned into a corner kick by Aquilina.
Birkirkara went close again two minutes later. N'for put Grech through inside the box and his shot from a diagonal position ended wide by inches. On the sixty-ninth minute, Guillaumier had a fine shot ending over.
Guillaumier went close again two minutes later, when off a corner kick by Grech, the Birkirkara midfielder had his header ending over. On the other side, a free-kick for Senglea ended wide by a whisker.
Against the run of the play, Senglea notched the winning goal four minutes from time. Ivan Paz served Gonzalo Virano, whose shot was slightly deflected by the Birkirkara defender and past goalkeeper Philip Schranz.
The Stripes put everything forward but their efforts were to no avail as Referee Sandro Spiteri's full-time whistle found them conceding the second defeat in the last three matches.
BIRKIRKARA: Philip Schranz, Cain Attard, Ryan Camenzuli, Lucas Maia (7' Alexander Nilsson) (72' Kurt Zammit), Nikola Vukanac, Matthew Guillaumier, Mislav Andelkovic, Bruno Andrade, Jake Grech, Landry Mulemo (85' Brandon Muscat), Ernest N'for.
SENGLEA: Timothy Aquilina, Jonathan Bondin, Steven Bonnici, Antonio Terraciano, Matias Garzia, Hubert Vella (73' Terence Vella) , Nicolas Virano, Nicola Palmieri (67' Miguel Escobar), Ivan Paz, Rene Caseres, Ian Azzopardi (10' Jurgen Farrugia).
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
Assistant Referees: Christopher Francalanza, Peter Abela.
Fourth Official: Mario Apap.
Yellow Cards: 47' Cain Attard (Birkirkara), 60' Hubert Vella, 63' Nicola Palmieri (Senglea Athletic).
Scorers: 86' Gonzalo Virano (Senglea Athletic).
BOV Player of the Match: Ivan Paz (Senglea Athletic).
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