Match Report: Birkirkara FC 0-0 Valletta FC

by Ayrton Galea - 25th February 2018

Birkirkara FC and Valletta FC shared the spoils in a goal-less stalemate in the big match of the BOV Premier League, as in-front the biggest attendance this season, both teams cancelled each other out to take a deserved point each.

In-front over four thousand people, the biggest attendance this season, both sets of supporters packed their Enclosure side for the big-match that at the end, nothing could separate the two organised teams.

Valletta were superior and created the best scoring opportunities, but the Stripes stepped-up their performance in the second-half and created the best chances. However, the score remained unchanged and both sides took a point each.

Following this result, the Stripes are still in the third-place as Gzira United and Floriana shared the spoils in a goal-less draw. On the other hand, Hibernians also dropped another two precious points as they were held in a goal-less draw by Naxxar Lions.

Coach Paul Zammit made just one change from the last league match against Sliema Wanderers, as Ryan Scicluna replaced Terence Agius. Matthew Guillaumier was on the substitutes' bench following an absence of almost five months.

The First Half

Birkirkara created their first scoring-opportunity after five minutes. Srdjan Dimitrov delivered an accurate cross towards Ognjen Rolovic on the second post, but the Macedonian's close-range header was saved by the Valletta goalkeeper, Henry Bonello.

Valletta replied four minutes later. Albert Prosa surged clear down the right flank, amid protests for an offside position, but his low cross was hit wide by Miguel Alba in-front an open goal. Valletta protested that Alba was floored by Attard, but the Referee showed no interest in their protests.

The Citizens had another great chance on the eleventh minute. Andelkovic's erratic pass saw Prosa winning possession and dashed forward, but his shot was blocked by a great save of the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Kristijan Naumovski.

With the wind blowing in their favour, the Citizens remained the most dangerous side and they went close again on the thirty-second minute. Kyrian Nwoko was put clear on the right but goalkeeper Naumovski made himself big as he produced another fine save.

Birkirkara had a fine scoring chance on the thirty-eighth minute as Carlos Alberto's curling free-kick found unmarked Vukanac inside the box, but the latter's headed wide as the first-half ended in a goal-less draw.

The Second Half

The second half had quite a slow start, but the Stripes should have surged ahead just past the hour mark. Scicluna served Carlos Alberto on the right flank and the Brazilian rapid-winger's cross found Ognjen Rolovic inside the box, but his weak shot from an ideal position ended wide.

Valletta threatened on the seventieth minute. A corner kick by Raed Salah was fired over by substitute Matteo Picciolo, who had replaced Miguel Alba few minutes earlier. This was the first match of Alba against Birkirkara, his former team.

The Stripes were unlucky not to surge ahead seven minutes from time, but Nikola Vukanac's powerful header was blocked by defender Ryan Camilleri, with Bonello beaten. On the other side, Santiago Malano's shot was blocked in two attempts by Naumovski, who had a satisfactory match.

Birkirkara almost struck the winning goal one minutes from time when Ryan Scicluna delivered an inch-perfect cross in the path of Vukanac, but the latter's bullet-header ended over as both sides settled for a goal-less draw.

Valletta's offensive player Raed Saleh was voted the BOV Player of the Match.

BIRKIRKARA: Kristijan Naumovski, Cain Attard, Fernando Barbosa, Nikola Vukanac, Kurt Zammit, Mislav Andelkovic, Ryan Scicluna, Jake Grech, Carlos Alberto, Srdjan Dimitrov, Ognjen Rolovic.

VALLETTA: Henry Bonello, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Santiago Malano, Kyrian Nwoko (81′ Denni Rocha dos Santos), Enmy Pena Beltre, Joseph Zerafa, Raed Saleh (88′ Michael Mifsud), Rowen Muscat, Miguel Alba (65′ Matteo Piciollo), Albert Prosa.

Referee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Duncan Sultana
Additional Assistant Referees: Malcolm Spiteri, Jude Amin Utulu
Fourth Official: Thomas Debono

Yellow Cards: 50' Nikola Vukanac, 72' Cain Attard (Birkirkara), 88' Rowen Muscat (Valletta)

BOV Player of the Match: Raed Saleh (Valletta).

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