Birkirkara register a massive victory

by Matthaeus Grasso - 29th March 2010

The Birkirkara FC clan has managed to register a famous 1-0 victory over title favourites, arch rivals and professional club Valletta in the second match played at the Ta'Qali National Stadium on Sunday.

Our boys went out for the game knowing that a victory would put them four points ahead of the opponents themselves, and so they were truly determined and concentrated to achieve the required result.

In front of a satisfying number of Birkirkara FC supporters, the 'Stripes' started to press their opponents, rarely giving them any time to dwell on the ball, despite their fame of supposedly being the best crop of players on the island.

Mr.Paul Zammit had no selection problems for this match, as all the players were fit to play. Rowen Muscat and Trevor Cilia were marking their return to the first team following their one-match suspension.

In the first few minutes, the match was highly balanced, as both sides were doing their best to keep possession, with our team attempting to stride forward every now and then.

Just before the twenty minute mark, Michael Galea performed a number of good moves before serving the ball to Gozitan player Shaun Bajada, who affected a cross to the far post. The ball seemed too long for Trevor Cilia, as Valletta defender Steve Bezzina shielded the ball from any danger. Somehow, the Birkirkara tenacious midfielder managed to put a foot in, and put the Birkirkara side in absolute delirium and state of trance.

Fifteen minutes later, with the 'Lillywhites' supporters and players in state of anger and despair, Trevor Cilia went really close to putting our team two goals to the good, but his low shot was somehow cleared-away, with the ball falling in the path of Alan Tabone, who hit a cross-shot with the ball apparently hitting Jamie Pace's arm in the opposing penalty box. None of the match officials saw anything wrong, and so, play was carried on.

Referee Mr.Mario Sant, ordered the players to hit the dugouts, for a well-deserved break.

No big changes seemed to take place in our team's system of play, not the same can be said about Valletta though, who went out desperately trying to turn things around in their own favor.

Jorge Mora and the rest of the Birkirkara defense was kept under pressure for some periods of the second half, but heroics by this same department, kept the professionals away from scoring.

When there was not much left to do, Valletta's Prso opted to dive in the penalty area, to try and level matters for his side, by the referee was alert enough, and showed the Cameroonian the yellow card.

Angus Buhagiar and Nikola Vukanac were both involved in last-minute clearances in our penalty box, which could have both resulted in goals for the 'Citizens', but it wasn't to be.

After five minutes of stoppage time, Mr.Sant's whistle was accompanied by a big loud roar from the Birkirkara Ultras and supporters, who celebrated till late an impressive and indispensable victory over our biggest rivals.

With five matches left to play, our team is now four points ahead of Valletta, but the Birkirkara supporters should remain calm and cautious that there is still a lot to play for, and that the title can still go either way.

Come on 'Stripes'!

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