Match Report: Birkirkara FC 4-2 Hamrun Spartans FC

by Ayrton Galea - 21st April 2018

Birkirkara FC secured the fourth place in the BOV Premier League, when they produced a brilliant comeback to come from two goals behind and defeat Hamrun Spartans FC with a 4-2 score.

Hamrun Spartans took the lead after thirteen minutes. Marco Criaco served Alexander Nilsson, the former Birkirkara player, and the latter hit a wonderful curling drive that gave goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski no chance.

The Spartans doubled their lead five minutes before half-time. A direct free-kick by the on-form Marco Criaco hit past goalkeeper Naumovski.

The Stripes looked down and out, but Nikola Vukanac reduced the gap just before the half-time whistle as he headed the ball home following a free-kick by Edward Herrera to put them back in contention.

Birkirkara made the score level four minutes inside the second half. Mislav Andelkovic served Edward Herrera outside the box and the latter struck a powerful shot that gave goalkeeper Jake Galea no chance.

The Stripes were now all over their opponents and turned the score in their favour on the fifty-fourth minute. Waldemar Acosta supplied an inch-perfect cross towards the on-running Ognjen Rolovic who was first on the ball, dashed forward and placed the ball past Galea.

The Stripes made sure of the priceless three points five minutes from time when they wrapped-up their victory with the fourth goal. It was Rolovic again who dashed to the centre from the left side before his low shot beat Galea.

BIRKIRKARA: Kristijan Naumovski, Cain Attard, Nikola Vukanac, Fernando Barbosa, Kurt Zammit, Edward Herrera, Terence Agius (72′ Luca Maia), Mislav Andjelkovic, Ryan Scicluna (92′ Carlo Zammit Lonardelli), Waldemar Acosta, Ognjen Rolovic (87′ Gianluca Zammit).

HAMRUN SPARTANS: Jake Galea, Karl Micallef, Thiago Espindola de Paula, Tiago Souza de Silveira, Daniel Zerafa, Dale Camilleri, Triston Caruana, Guilherme Felipe de Castro (67′ Julian Galea), Marco Criaco, Lydon Micallef (46′ Arthur Faria Machado), Alexander Nilsson (85′ Bradley Schembri).

Referee: Mario Apap.
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Peter Abela.
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri.

Yellow Cards: Ognjen Rolovic, Fernando Barbosa, Waldemar Acosta, Nikola Vukanac, Terence Agius (Birkirkara), Tiago Souza de Silveira, Felipe de Casto (Hamrun Spartans).

Scorers: Nikola Vukanac, Edward Herrera, Ognjen Rolovic (2) (Birkirkara), Alex Nilsson, Marco Criaco (Hamrun Spartans).

BOV Player of the Match: Edward Herrera (Birkirkara).

comments powered by Disqus