BOV Premier League - Mosta FC 0-3 Birkirkara FC
by Ayrton Galea - 25th November 2018
Birkirkara FC are back on the right track in the BOV Premier League, as three second-half goals enabled them to defeat Mosta FC with a 3-0 score.
The Stripes were coming from a 2-1 defeat, their third in the last five matches, and only a win would have satisfied their needs. Knowing the weight of this game, the Stripes handled their task quite well as they were the better side for long stretches and the victory was well-deserved.
BOV Player of the Match Marcelo Henrique scored his first two goals in the BOV Premier League to ensure Birkirkara's victory, before Michael Mifsud added further gloss with a wonderful solo-effort just after Marcelo's second goal.
Coach Paul Zammit welcomed back defender Danilo Chapoval as he replaced Arian Mrsulja, but he couldn't count on the suspended Kurt Zammit, who was replaced by Myles Beerman. For Beerman, this was his first appearance from the start with our Club.
The First Half
The Stripes made their intentions clear to notice, as they pushed forward in numbers right from the start. They enjoyed large swatches of possession in the opening minutes despite Mosta were closing the spaces well with five players at the back.
Eduardo Dos Santos had an early shot from distance ending over, before the Stripes went close on the eighteenth minute. A long-ball from the back unzipped the defence and Petar Orlandic did well to anticipate goalkeeper Andreas Vella, but his weak effort was blocked by the defender.
Marcelo Henrique, the Birkirkara forward, had a fine direct free-kick easily saved by goalkeeper Andreas Vella on the half-hour mark. Moments later, Mosta protested for a penalty on a hands-ball inside the box, but Referee Matthew Degabriele waved play-on.
The Stripes went close just before the half-time whistle. Jake Grech played a short corner to Guillaumier who his cross found Dos Santos, but his header from inside the box hit the crossbar before goalkeeper Vella neutralised the danger.
The Second Half
The Stripes had a great scoring chance four minutes inside the second half. Andelkovic sent Mifsud through but his touch to get past the on-rushing Mosta goalkeeper was too long and the veteran-forward failed to capitalise.
However, the Stripes were not denied on the fifty-sixth minute. Orlandic lay-off the ball outside the box to Marcelo who fired a low powerful shot from outside the box that hit past the Mosta goalkeeper, Andreas Vella.
The Stripes went close to double their lead just four minutes later. Grech delivered an inch-perfect free-kick on the second post, but Petar Orlandic's powerful header was turned into a corner kick by Vella. Vella did well again just moments later as he blocked a powerful shot by Marcelo.
Buoyant by their first goal, the Stripes continued to push forward for the second goal. Marcelo was involved into action again as he sent through Mifsud and the latter's powerful shot was tipped into a corner kick thanks to another great save of Vella.
The inclusion of substitute Dexter Xuereb certainly lived-up to Mark Miller's expectations, as the Mosta youngster was quickly involved into action. Xuereb made an excellent run before dribbling past his marker, but his fine shot ended wide by inches.
The same Mosta youngster squandered a glorious scoring chance five minutes later. Forward De Oliveira squared an inch-perfect low-cross towards the unmarked Xuereb, but the latter fired wide from a perfect position inside the box.
The Blues continued to push forward, and they were unlucky not to make score the level on the eightieth minute. Substitute Dexter Xuereb saw his close-range effort smashing against the crossbar, with Naumovski beaten.
These scoring chances lost came to haunt Mosta three minutes later, as the Stripes doubled their lead. Tyrone Farrugia floored Matthew Guillaumier inside the box and the referee ordered the penalty. From the spot, Marcelo converted to give the Stripes a two-goal lead.
Two became three one minute later as the Stripes added the gloss on their victory. Michael Mifsud produced a magnificent solo-action as he dribbled past two defenders and dashed inside the box, before his powerful shot hit hard past Vella.
Scorer of a brace, Marcelo Henrique, was voted the BOV Player of the Match.
MOSTA: Andreas Vella, Kei Hirose, Renan Abner De Oliveira, Massimo Sammartino, Rafael Morisco Da Silva, Misael Miranda Gomez, Tyrone Farrugia, Steven Bonnici, Zachary Brincat (36' James Brincat), Juri Cisotti, Romao Romeu (69' Dexter Xuereb).
BIRKIRKARA: Kristijan Naumovski, Danilo Chapoval, Matthew Guillaumier (86' Terence Agius), Mislav Andelkovic, Petar Orlandic (75' Uchenna Umeh), Jake Grech (75' Paul Fenech), Eduardo Dos Santos, Michael Mifsud, Cain Attard, Marcelo Henrique, Myles Beerman.
Referee: Matthew Degabriele.
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, William Debattista.
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri.
Yellow Cards: 29' Misael Miranda Gomez, 83' Tyrone Farrugia (Mosta), 43' Matthew Guillaumier, 56' Marcelo Henrique, 65' Danilo Chapoval (Birkirkara),
Scorers: 56', 83' Marcelo Henrique, 84' Michael Mifsud (Birkirkara).
BOV Player of the Match: Marcelo Henrique (Birkirkara).
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