Match Report: Birkirkara FC 1-0 Hamrun Spartans FC
by Ayrton Galea - 10th December 2017
Birkirkara FC registered their second consecutive victory in the BOV Premier League as forward Luke Montebello scored a late goal to give the Stripes vital three points, thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over Hamrun Spartans FC.
In a tight encounter, both teams had their scoring opportunities with the Stripes stepping-up their game in the second half and secured the win thanks to a late goal. Thanks to this victory, the Stripes trimmed the gap to just a point with the same Hamrun Spartans.
Defenders Lucas Maia and Kurt Zammit both returned to the first-eleven selection following a one-match suspension as they replaced Martin Klein and Landry Mulemo, while Cain Attard and Ryan Camenzuli were also both given the nod from the start.
The First Half
The Stripes created their first scoring opportunity on the eighth minute. In a fast break-away, Carlos Alberto put through Kurt Zammit down the left side but the latter's shot after advancing in the box was saved by goalkeeper Steve Sultana.
Hamrun were denied by the woodwork less than sixty-seconds later. Davide Succi's shot was deflected and had the better of goalkeeper Philip Schranz, but the ball struck against the foot of the post.
Carlos Alberto's free-kick was easily saved by goalkeeper Sultana, and the same player was involved in action again four minutes later as he delivers his corner in the path of Luke Montebello, but his fierce volley ended wide.
The Spartans enjoyed more possession at the end of the first half, and they almost struck the opening goal seven minutes from half-time. Marco Criaco's cross from the left found Daniel Zerafa unmarked but his bullet-header ended just over the bar, as the first-half ended goal-less.
The Second Half
Coach Paul Zammit included Bruno Andrade off the injured Kurt Zammit for the start of the second half, while Ryan Camenzuli was deployed as a left-back.
This change seemed to leave the desired impact as Camenzuli was now enjoying more space to surge forward in possession. Close to the hour mark, Camenzuli hit a powerful long-distance shot that was turned into a corner by Sultana.
Carlos Alberto did fine footwork on the sixty-second minute, but his curling shot ended over the bar, as the Stripes continued to dictate the game in the second half. With the team stepping-up the play, Coach Paul Zammit injected more creativity as he included Jake Grech off Edward Herrera.
Mislav Andelkovic put Carlos Alberto through on the eighty-second minute but his fierce strike ended wide by a whisker, while moments later Andelkovic's volley was parried by Sultana.
The Stripes struck the all-important winning goal six minutes from time. Bruno Andrade's free-kick found Grech on the second post who continued to ball towards Montebello who hit home from close-range, much to the delight of the Birkirkara clan.
BIRKIRKARA: Philip Schranz, Cain Attard, Nikola Vukanac, Lucas Maia, Kurt Zammit (46' Bruno Andrade), Mislav Andelkovic, Ryan Scicluna, Carlos Alberto (86' Llywelyn Cremona), Edward Herrera (67' Jake Grech), Ryan Camenzuli, Luke Montebello.
HAMRUN SPARTANS: Steve Sultana, Tiago Souza Da Silveira, Daniel Zerafa, Marco Criaco, Guilherme Felipe De Castro, Cristian Zaccardo, Davide Succi, Thiago Espindola De Paula, Triston Caruana, Francisco Manoel Marino Clavero (74' Siraj Arab), Karl Micallef (87' Julian Galea).
Referee: Philip Farrugia.
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, William Debattista.
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri.
Yellow Cards: 23' Carlos Alberto, 42' Ryan Scicluna, 75' Ryan Camenzuli, 85' Luke Montebello, 90' Mislav Andelkovic (Birkirkara), 80' Daniel Zerafa (Hamrun Spartans).
Scorers: 85' Luke Montebello.
BOV Player of the Match: Marco Criaco (Hamrun Spartans).
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