Birkirkara keep six point lead over Sliema

by Ayrton Galea - 31st March 2012

Birkirkara extended their unbeaten run to six matches and they kept the six point lead over Sliema Wanderers when they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

In a match were goal-scoring opportunities were very rare, Birkirkara kept their six point advantage over Sliema Wanderers and moved two points ahead of Floriana as the latter were beaten by Valletta in the previous match with a 2-0 score.

The performance decreased in it's level and the absence of Shola Shodiya was felt as the movement in the attacking department was lacking.

Probably two of the best players in the pitch were Jorge Santos Silva who scored a wonderful goal and substitute Rowen Muscat who had a good match in the midfield department. In the defence department, Rodrigo Pereira and Nikola Vukanac were once again solid and concentrated on every ball.

For third consecutive match Birkirkara were awarded a penalty, but this time it was missed as Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza's effort was blocked by Henry Bonello.

The First Half

The first half opened well as two goals, one for each side were scored in less than fifteen minutes but from then onwards the match was lacking from goal-scoring opportunities.

In the first action of the match, on the third minute, Ryan Scicluna had a shot from outside the box ending over. One minute later, a direct free-kick by Shaun Bajada als ended over.

Sliema broke the deadlock on the 9th minute when following a corner from the right by Ryan Fenech, Josef Mifsud headed the ball home.

Birkirkara's reply came soon later, as they scored the equalising goal on the 14th minute. Jorge Santos Silva diagonal powerful shot gave Henry Bonello no chance.

Following a fine cross from the back on the 22nd minute, Ryan Scicluna failed to hit the ball as he tried to lob over the goalkeeper.

Emiliano Lattes for Sliema Wanderers had a direct free-kick saved by Reuben Gauci on the 25th minute.

In the first substitution for Birkirkara, the injured Paul Fenech was replaced with Rowen Muscat on the 38th minute. Sliema also had to replace an injured player, as on the 43rd minute, injured Andrew Decesare was replaced with Steve Bezzina.

With both teams failing to create any goal scoring opportunity, the first half ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Second Half

The second half saw Birkirkara having a perfect chance to take the lead as they were awarded a penalty but it was blocked by Henry Bonello. In the last moments of the match, substitute Clifford Gatt Baldacchino for Sliema Wanderers was sent off for collecting two yellow cards.

Between the half time interval, Sliema made their second substitution as injured Daniel Mitev was replaced with Clifford Gatt Baldacchino.

Birkirkara opened the second half well and just after one minute a Nikola Vukanac's header ended wide by inches.

On the 51st minute, Birkirkara were awarded a penalty after Ryan Scicluna was floored inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. From the eleven metres, it was the same Mifsud Triganza who saw his weak shot blocked by the goalkeeper.

Following a cross from the right by Angus Buhagiar on the 61st minute, Ryan Scicluna's header ended wide.

Former Birkirkara winger Trevor Cilia was included on the 69th minute, instead of Jeremiah Ani in the second substitution for Sliema Wanderers.

Jorge Santos Silva had a fine header saved by Henry Bonello on the 70th minute following a fine cross by Joseph Zerafa.

Sliema Wanderers could have gone ahead when Trevor Cilia miss-hit the ball from an ideal position on the 76th minute with Reuben Gauci saving without any problem.

In the second substitution for Birkirkara, Michael Camilleri was included instead of Shaun Bajada on the 77th minute.

Michael Camilleri almost did the impossible on the 79th minute, when following a long distance cross shot from the right, his effort was denied by the post, with Henry Bonello beaten.

Sliema replied with a long distance shot which ended over on the 82nd minute.

In the third and last substitution for Birkirkara, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was replaced by Ryan Camenzuli on the 84th minute with Jorge Santos Silva advancing to the striker position.

In the first minute of added time, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was sent off following a double booking after a foul on Jorge Santos Silva.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara maintaining the six point lead over Sliema Wanderers and adding another point on the advantage over Floriana.

Sliema's goalkeeper Henry Bonello was voted as the BOV player of the match.

BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Scicluna, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Shaun Bajada (77' Michael Camilleri), Gareth Sciberras, Rodrigo Pereira, Paul Fenech (378 Rowen Muscat), Angus Buhagiar, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (84' Ryan Camenzuli), Jorge Santos Silva.

SLIEMA: Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, Nikola Bogdanovic, Josef Mifsud, Ryan Grech, Mark Scerri, Daniel Mitev (46' Clifford Gatt Baldacchino), Ryan Fenech, Andrew Decesare (43' Steve Bezzina), Jeremiah Ani (69' Trevor Cilia), Emiliano Lattes.

Scorers: 9' Josef Mifsud (Sliema Wanderers), 14' Jorge Santos Silva (Birkirkara)

Yellow Cards: Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Sliema Wanderers), Rodrigo Pereira (Birkirkara)

Red Cards: Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Sliema Wanderers)

Man of the match: Henry Bonello (Sliema Wanderers)

comments powered by Disqus