Stripes beat Lija to return to winning ways

by Ayrton Galea - 20th October 2017

Birkirkara FC registered an important victory in the BOV Premier League on Friday evening, when they returned to winning ways as they defeated Lija Athletic FC with a 2-0 score.

The Stripes chalked-up their second victory in the league as they returned to winning ways thanks to a fine win. Luke Montebello's first-half goal was followed by a late-goal by substitute Edward Herrera who secured the victory.

Coach Paul Zammit made three changes from the last match. Goalkeeper David Cassar made his first appearance while Matthew Guillaumier and Kurt Zammit replaced Edward Herrera and Landry Mulemo respectively. Brazilian forward Fabiano Oliveira made his debut as he was included as a substitute in the second half.

The First Half

Birkirkara created their first opportunity after fifteen minutes. A quick drop-kick by David Cassar towards Caros Alberto saw the Brazilian winger dribbling past his marker but his low shot was turned into a corner kick by goalkeeper Luke Bonnici.

The Stripes surged ahead on the eighteenth minute. Following a quick counter-attack, Luke Montebello dashed inside the box and hit hard past goalkeeper Bonnici with a fine shot.

Birkirkara almost doubled their lead two minutes later. Jake Grech's powerful free-kick was denied by an excellent save of goalkeeper Bonnici, who tipped the ball over the bar for a corner kick. Moments later, off a cross by Grech, Montebello headed over.

Lija threatened for the equalising goal past the half-hour mark, when off a solo-action by Abubaker Bello Osagie, the latter had a powerful shot ending wide. On the other side of the pitch, Carlos Alberto's inch-perfect cross was headed wide by Montebello.

The Stripes went close on the thirty-eighth minute with a diagonal shot by Luke Montebello but the latter's shot scratched past the post. Moments later, Montebello provided an accurate cross on the second post but Grech failed to connect.

Against the run of the play, Lija almost grabbed the equaliser three minutes from half-time. An overhead kick by Djamel Leeflang hit against the bottom of the post while moments later, David Cassar made a fine save on a low shot.

Moments later, Lija went close again when an inch-perfect cross by Beu found Alain Rapha Kooh Sohna who anticipated goalkeeper David Cassar but his header ended wide by inches.

The Second Half

Birkirkara created the first scoring opportunity five minutes inside the second post. Carlos Alberto did well to lay the ball off to Luke Montebello who had his powerful shot blocked by goalkeeper Bonnici.

The Stripes went close again on the fifty-sixth minute. It was once again another accurate free-kick by Jake Grech but goalkeeper Bonnici denied him with another excellent save. On the other side, Predrag Babic had a direct free-kick saved by goalkeeper David Casar.

Ryan Scicluna rescued Birkirkara as he kept his team's side lead safe by clearing the ball off the goal-line, following a header off a corner kick for Lija.

Birkirkara were denied from securing a two-goal lead on the seventy-fourth minute. Substitute Fabiano Oliveira lay off the ball to Ryan Scicluna whose first-time effort was denied by the post, with goalkeeper Bonnici beaten.

Lija ended-up playing with ten players twelve minutes from time. Goalkeeper Luke Bonnici denied Carlos Alberto a clear scoring opportunity after the latter had anticipated the goalkeeper. The referee had no option rather than to send off the Lija goalkeeper.

Birkirkara doubled their lead thanks to an action combined by two substitutes. Fabiano Oliveira showed great technical skills to get past defender Babic and his inch-perfect cross was hit home from close-range by Edward Herrera.

Birkirkara's midfielder Ryan Scicluna was voted the BOV Player of the Match.

BIRKIRKARA: David Cassar, Cain Attard, Nikola Vukanac, Lucas Maia, Kurt Zammit, Mislav Andelkovic, Matthew Guillaumier, Ryan Scicluna, Jake Grech (62' Ryan Camenzuli), Carlos Alberto Da Silva (81' Edward Herrera), Luke Montebello (72' Fabiano Oliveira).

LIJA ATHLETIC: Luke Bonnici, Predrag Babic, Leon Muscat, Daniel Scerri, Erjon Beu, Leejoe Schembri, Alain Rapha Kooh Sohna, Abubaker Bello Osagie, Carl Cassar, McAllisther Clinch (66' Aiden Galea), Djamel Leeflang (76' Joaqin Lores Varela).

Referee: Emanuel Grech
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Ryan Aquilina
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant

Yellow Cards: 14' Daniel Scerri

Scorers: 18' Luke Montebello, 90' Edward Herrera.

BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara).

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