Birkirkara beat Tarxien to climb to second place

by Ayrton Galea - 10th April 2011

Birkirkara returned to winning ways with a comfortable win this afternoon when they beat Tarxien Rainbows with a score of 3-0.

It was not the best game for the yellow-reds but a big improvement by all the players was evident, and after Birkirkara scored the second goal there was no doubt where the three important points were going.

Mr. Paul Zammit did some changes in the line up from last week. Joseph Zerafa replaced Andrei Agius who was suspended, Shaun Bajada replaced Ryan Scicluna and Ibrahim Babatunde started the match instead of Emiliano Lattes.

Birkirkara opened as the most aggressive side and from the very first minute they went all-out to search for an early lead. After eleven minutes they had a golden chance when Trevor Cilia's pass found Ibrahim Babatunde and his shot from a few meters away from the goal-line was blocked by a defender. From the rebound, Michael Galea's shot was blocked as well and the Tarxien defenders cleared the danger.

Against the run of the play, Tarxien almost took the lead when a freekick from the right, Sergio Pacheco De Oliveria headed the ball home, however this goal was disallowed due to an offside position.

On the 26th minute Birkirkara had another opportunity but Trevor Cilia's shot was parried by the Tarxien custodian. Two minutes later it was the time for Tarxien to have their opportunity as Ricardo Costa hit the left post with the Birkirkara defenders clearing the ball into safety.

Trevor Cilia was in action once again as this time a powerful shot by the right winger was blocked thanks to a great save by David Cassar.

Three minutes from the end of the first half Daniel Mariano Bueno served Luke Critien and his effort was deflected into a corner kick.

With the half time looming, Trevor Cilia broke the dead-lock. Ibrahim Babatunde served Michael Galea, who in turn served Cilia and his powerful shot from inside the box put Birkirkara ahead.

The first half ended in a score of 1-0 in favour of 'The Stripes'.

The second half was more one-sided as Birkirkara were more aggressive than the first half and they totally dominated Tarxien Rainbows.

Nine minutes in the second half Birkirkara practically sealed the game as Nikola Vukanac's clearance found Michael Galea unmarked with the latter lobbing the ball into the net to make the score 2-0.

On the 62nd minute Mr. Paul Zammit made use of the first substitution as Emiliano Lattes replaced Trevor Cilia.

Eleven minutes from the end Birkirkara suffered a drawback as Shaun Bajada had to be stretchered off as he suffered an injury and Ryan Scicluna took his place

Birkirkara made sure of the three important points with another goal. Paul Fenech passed to Ibrahim Babatunde who beat David Cassar with a diagonal low shot from the right.

In the last substitution, Rodolfo Kumbrevicius replaced Michael Galea.

Few minutes later 'The Stripes' could have extended the lead but Emiliano Lattes' shot was turned into a corner kick.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara back in the second place with Floriana who are both with 24 points, one more than Marsaxlokk.

Michael Galea was voted as the BoV Player of the Match.

Next Sunday Birkirkara will be involved in another very important match against Hamrun Spartans.

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