Birkirkara's title hopes dashed

by Ayrton Galea - 6th March 2011

Birkirkara's hopes that this year they could be the main title challengers for Valletta suffered a big drawback. Yesterday afternoon a solitary goal by Valletta was enough for them to collect the three important points.

Many believe that 'The Stripes' deserved at least a point from the game as they were always on the offensive especially after Jamie Pace received a red card and left the Citizens with 10 men in the field. Many may have predicted a bigger reaction in the second half, something that did not happen.

For Birkirkara, Trevor Cilia was included in the first eleven. The last time he was included in the first eleven was on the 29th October 2010. Shaun Bajada and Angus Buhagiar managed to recover on time. Rowen Muscat was the only player missing for Birkirkara.

'The Stripes' started as the most aggressive side and after only two minutes Joseph Zerafa served Trevor Cilia who tried his luck with a shot which was saved by Andrew Hogg.

Birkirkara continues to be the most dangerous side and on the 14th minute Trevor Cilia tried to pass to Michael Galea but he was anticipated by Hogg.

On the 19th minute the numerous Birkirkara supporters appealed for a penalty when Andrei Agius was brought down inside the box. However, somehow Adrian Azzopardi waved play on.

Eleven minutes later, on the 30th minute Andrade Antunes Anderson was given a yellow card for a simulation inside the penalty box.

Against the run of the play, Valletta took the lead on the 37th minute when off a cross by Terence Scerri which was blocked by Michael Fraser, Patrick Borg tried the clear the danger but Andrade Antunes Anderson managed to anticipate the Birkirkara defender and put the Citizens into the lead.

On the 39th minute, International midfielder Jamie Pace committed an action which goes totally against 'Fair Play' as he tried to hit Trevor Cilia as the latter tried to take the ball from Jamie's hands in aim to reduce wasting time. Jamie Pace was shown the red card.

Few seconds before the half time whistle a cross shot by Trevor Cilia was saved in two attempts by the Citizens' goalie.

The end of the first half whistle saw Valletta in the undeserved lead.

The second half was one sided, as Birkirkara tried everything in aim to equalise but the Citizens players defended the one-goal and made it a very difficult task for Birkirkara.

Mr. Paul Zammit made one change for the 2nd half as Ibrahim Babatunde replaced Patrick Borg.

On the 46th minute, Ibrahim Babatunde's effort was saved by the Valletta's custodian.

Andrew Decesare replaced Joseph Zerafa on the 60th minute.

Ibrahim Babatunde was denied the equaliser on the 64th minute. From a cross by Emiliano Lattes, Ibrahim Babatunde's rising shot hit the crossbar.

Valletta replied with a dangerous counter attack on the 70th minute, and when Antunes seemed to be in a one versus one with the goalkeeper, a tackle of a certain class by Andrei Agius cleared the danger, with the Valletta supporters appealing for a penalty but Adrian Azzopardi had no doubt that the tackle was clean.

On the 72nd minute, Omonigho Temile tried his luck with a shot which was deflected into a corner kick.

Mr. Paul Zammit performed the last substitution as Trevor Cilia was replaced by Karl Pulo on the 70th minute.

Birkirkara were dangerous once again. This time a powerful shot by Paul Fenech was saved in style by Andrew Hogg.

On the 94th minute, Denni Dos Santos performed a solo run but his shot went wide by centimeters.

The full-time whistle saw the Birkirkara clan disappointed in failing to take anything from the game.

Birkirkara will be involved in a very important match against Marsaxlokk who are now occupying the second place with two points more than Birkirkara. Birkirkara are now fourth, nine points behind leaders Valletta, two points behind Marsaxlokk, and one point behind Floriana.

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