Stoppage time goal puts Birkirkara back on track
by Ayrton Galea - 24th September 2017
Birkirkara FC returned to winning ways in the BOV Premier League when they scored a stoppage-time goal to survive a second-half comeback by Naxxar Lions FC, as they secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
The Stripes looked to be in a comfortable position with a two-goal lead in the first half but a strong comeback enabled Naxxar to make the score level in the second half. two. The match seemed to be heading into a draw but Cain Attard scored a stoppage-time goal to give the Stripes precious points.
Coach Paul Zammit made two changes from the last match as Martin Klein and Luke Montebello replaced Lucas Maia and Ernest N'for. Edward Herrera was back in the fray as he started among the substitutes after missing the last match.
The First Half
Birkirkara created the first opportunity after seven minutes. Following a cross by Cain Attard from the right, Bruno Andrade' powerful shot hit the side-netting, following a deflection by the Naxxar defender.
Naxxar replied on the fourteenth minute with a shot from outside the box by Daniel Mateo Bustos, but his weak effort ended wide. Birkirkara went close six minutes later with a thunderous drive by Jake Grech, but goalkeeper Christoph Nicht made a fine save to deny the Stripes midfielder.
Birkirkara made their superiority count on the twenty-eighth minute as they broke the dead-lock. Montebello made a powerful run down the left wing before his cross found Jake Grech inside the box, who controlled the ball and hit a powerful drive home.
The Stripes went close to double their lead two minutes later. Camenzuli burst clear past the Naxxar defence but his powerful low-drive was blocked by goalkeeper Nicht. On the other side of the pitch, goalkeeper Philip Schranz made an excellent save to deny a direct free-kick by Daniel Mateo Bustos.
Birkirkara doubled their lead one minutes before half-time. Bruno Andrade dribbled past his marker and served Luke Montebello inside the box who hit home from close-range.
The Second Half
Naxxar Lions registered a perfect start inside the second half as they pulled one back after two minutes. Darren Falzon beat the offside trap to advance all alone before rounding goalkeeper Schranz and slots into an empty net.
Birkirkara could have regained their two-goal lead twenty minutes inside the second half. Following a fast break-away, Grech served Andrade in an ideal position but the latter fired over. Moments later, Naxxar also had a great chance but Darren Falzon failed to connect into an empty net.
Naxxar made the score level on the seventieth minute. A header by Scott Fenwick found Daniel Mateo Bustos who hit home with a powerful shot.
The Stripes were stunned, as their two-goal lead faded away. Coach Paul Zammit included Ernest N'for and Kurt Zammit off Bruno Andrade and Luke Montebello as the Birkirkara Coach sought for fresh ideas up-front.
However, when the Stripes seemed to be dropping another two precious points, they scored a stoppage-time goal to regain the lead. Martin Klein's header off a fine free-kick by Jake Grech was blocked by Nicht, and from the rebound, Cain Attard hit home from close-range.
BIRKIRKARA: Philip Schranz, Cain Attard, Landry Mulemo, Nikola Vukanac, Martin Klein, Mislav Andelkovic, Matthew Guillaumier, Jake Grech, Bruno Andrade (78' Ernest N'for), Luke Montebello (83' Kurt Zammit), Ryan Camenzuli (68' Edward Herrera).
NAXXAR LIONS: Christoph Nicht, Scott James Fenwick, Ryan Grech, Darren Falzon, Duane Bonnici, Jurgen Debono, Daniel Mateo Bustos, Angus Buhagiar, Mark Fenech, Adrian Cascaval, Amaud Mendy.
Referee: Stefan Pace.
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Sammy Attard.
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow Cards: 67' Bruno Andrade, 86' Landry Mulemo (Birkirkara), 9' Jurgen Debono, 89' Daniel Mateo Bustos, 90+1' Angus Buhagiar (Naxxar Lions).
Scorers: 28' Jake Grech, 44' Luke Montebello, 90+1' Cain Attard (Birkirkara), 47' Darren Falzon, Daniel Mateo Bustos (Naxxar Lions).
BOV Player of the Match: Daniel Mateo Bustos (Naxxar Lions).
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