Match Report | Birkirkara FC Vs. Valletta FC
by Clayton Schembri - 18th February 2021
Birkirkara FC produced yet another convincing performance in the big match at the National Stadium last night defeating rivals Valletta FC 2-0, goals by Luke Montebello and substitute Caio Prado.
The Stripes registered three precious points yesterday evening, as they scored a goal in each half to return to winning ways and moved back to fourth in the standings, six points behind Gzira United and one ahead of Sliema Wanderers.
Coach Andre Paus made four changes from the last match, Oscar Matias Carniello and Federico Falcone returned from a one match ban replacing Francesco Verde and Caio Prado respectively whilst Reginald Alidor and Roderick Briffa replaced Claudio Bonanni and Yannick Yankam in midfield.
Valletta created the first scoring opportunity after ten minutes, when Matteo Piciollo found himself in space inside the area and hit a curling drive that came off the upright.
Birkirkara replied five minutes later, when from a Paul Mbong corner, Oscar Carniello's effort finished just wide.
The Stripes threatened again on 28 minutes, Alex Alves crossed towards the unmarked Federico Falcone, however he was anticipated by Emlit Sala who cleared the danger.
On 31 minutes The Stripes produced their best scoring opportunity , when Alves dispossessed Triston Caruana and surged inside the area but the Brazilian unfortunately slipped before he could conclude his strike.
Birkirkara surged ahead on 38 minutes, when Alex da Paixao Alves served Federico Falcone outside the area and the latter managed to squeeze a pass through to Luke Montebello who kept his cool to slot home.
The Citizens had a goal-scoring chance just past the hour mark, when they hit the woodwork twice. Enmy Pena Beltre hit a fierce drive that came off the bar, the rebound fell to Piciollo who hit the bar once more.
The Stripes doubled their lead and sealed the win six minutes from time, when off a cross by Claudio Bonanni, substitute Caio Prado volleyed the ball home.
Birkirkara's Luke Montebello was named the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Alessandro Guarnone, Enrico Pepe, Luke Montebello, Paul Mbong (68′ Claudio Bonanni), Roderick Briffa (88′ Glending Farrugia), Kurt Zammit, Reginald Mbu Alidor, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Oscar Carniello, Alex da Paixao Alves (79′ Caio Henrique Prado Rocha).
VALLETTA: Yenz Cini, Triston Caruana, Santiago Malano, Matteo Piciollo, Enmy Pena Beltre (76′ Kyrian Nwoko), Eslit Sala, Rowen Muscat, Leandro Aguirre, Ryan Fenech, Mario Fontanella, Lucas Campos (46′ Shaun Dimech).
Referee: Alex Johnson
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Pepe, Briffa, Fenech
BOV Player of the match: Luke Montebello
