Birkirkara back to winning ways in style

by Ayrton Galea - 30th September 2012

Birkirkara returned to winning ways and when they defeated Tarxien Rainbows with a comfortable 4-1 score.

Birkirkara opened a two goal lead early in the match but things seemed to become complicated for 'The Stripes' after Tarxien pulled one back. However, after Tarxien were reduced to ten men, Birkirkara never looked back and added another two goals to the tally.

Without any doubt, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was the hero for Birkirkara as he scored a hat-trick. Jhonnattann Benites and Edward Herrera also had a very fine match.

Birkirkara were coming from the first defeat of the league when they were defeated by Sliema Wanderers in their last outing with a 3-1 score. On the other hand, Tarxien were coming from two positive results against Balzan Youths and Melita.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Joselito Dos Reis were back for Birkirkara with the latter starting on the bench. Ryan Scicluna and Karl Magri were missing due to injury.

Mr. Paul Zammit made one change from the last match as Mifsud Triganza replaced Zach Muscat.

The First Half

Birkirkara took an early lead thanks to a very good action. Jhonnattann Benites served Edward Herrera who sent a perfect cross which was met with a fine header by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza which gave goalkeeper Cassar no chance.

Tarxien's reply was quick and on the 5th minute, Luiz De Castro stole the ball from Joseph Zerafa and his shot scratched past the left post. Two minutes later, a shot by Daniel Mariano Bueno ended over.

A diagonal freekick by Jhonnattann Beniteson on the 9th minute ended wide.

Shola Shodiya made a fine action on the 10th minute with the intention to double the lead. Following a pass by Gareth Sciberras, Shodiya rounded a player, advanced and tried his luck with a low powerful shot which ended wide.

Birkirkara made them two thanks to Triganza on the 17th minute. Following a fine pass by Herrera to Jhonnattann, the latter advanced and served Triganza who had an easy task slotting the ball home from close range.

With two goals ahead at such an early period of the match, one might think that Birkirkara were heading for a ride in the park. However Tarxien never made it easy, and Birkirkara committed some mistakes that could have been easily avoided.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza could have completed his hat trick on the 33rd minute when he found himself in an ideal position, but he tried to serve Shola Shodiya and Tarxien defender cleared the ball into a corner.

Following a fast counter attack on the 36th minute, Shola Shodiya served Jhonnattann Benites whose powerful shot was deflected into a corner kick.

Tarxien lost a great opportunity on the 39th minute to pull one back when in fast counter attack, Romulo De Castro all alone against Gauci tried to lob over the goalkeeper but Gauci managed to save well.

Tarxien pulled one back on the 43rd minute when a following shot by Daniel Mariano Bueno, Gauci blocked without grasping the ball and from the rebound, Mark Tanti slotted home.

The half time whistle found Birkirkara enjoying one goal lead but not convincing enough as they failed to take total control of the match.

The Second Half

In the first substitution for Tarxien on the 50th minute, Manuel Caruana was included off Luiz De Catro.

Birkirkara could easily have made them three on 52nd minute but Jhonnattann Benites's close range effort was blocked by goalkeeper Cassar. One minute later, Jhonnattann Benites caught goalkeeper Cassar out of position but his lob ended over.

In the second substitution for Tarxien on the 54th minute, Steven Bonnici replaced Orosco Anonam.

Tarxien were reduced to ten men on the 58th minute when Evaldo Sila elbowed Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza in the face, and the Welsh referee showed him a direct red card.

In the third and last substitution for Tarxien, Mark Tanti was replaced with Danilo Santos on the hour mark.

In a fast break away by Birkirkara on the 61st minute, Rowen Muscat served Jhonnattann Benites who sent a through ball towards Shola Shodiya. The latter advanced with the ball but his shot ended widely over.

In the first substitution for Birkirkara on the 62nd minute, Joseph Zerafa was replaced with Ryan Camenzuli.

Birkirkara made them three on the 67th minute when Jhonnattann Benites served Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who advanced and beat Cassar with a low shot to complete the hat trick.

In the second substitution for Birkirkara, Joselito Dos Reis, who had been out of play for a month due to an ankle injury, replaced Shola Shodiya on the 72nd minute.

A powerful shot by Joselito Dos Reis on the 76th minute was well blocked by goalkeeper Cassar.

Birkirkara lost a golden opportunity on the 77th minute when Jhonnattann Benites sent a perfect low cross but Alejandro Mendoza and Rowen Muscat failed to communicate and the ball ended in a goal kick.

In the third and last substitution for Birkirkara on the 78th minute, the player of the match, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was replaced with Zach Muscat.

A powerful long distance shot by Reinaldo Esposito was saved by Gauci on the 79th minute.

Birkirkara replied with a powerful shot by Joselito Dos Reis which was somehow punched away by the Tarxien goalkeeper on the 80th minute in a corner kick.

From a long distance shot by Tarxien on the 89th minute, Gauci saved without problem.

Birkirkara could have made them four on the 90th minute when Joselito sent a perfect cross but Herrera's first touch was not the best possible and a defender cleared into safety.

In the second minute of extra time, Manuel Caruana had a shot ending wide.

Birkirkara made them four on the 93rd minute thanks to a wonderful goal by Ryan Camenzuli. Joselito Dos Reis served Camenzuli who rounded three players before beating the goalkeeper from a diagonal angle to score his first goal of this season.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara returning to winning and they moved to the second place with Hibernians with 15 points, three under leaders Valletta. Birkirkara will be involved in the much awaited match against Valletta this Saturday.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, the scorer of hat trick, was voted as the man of the match.

BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Edward Herrera, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa (62' Ryan Camenzuli), Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat, Paul Fenech, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Shola Shodiya (72' Joselito Dos Reis), Jhonnattann Benites.

TARXIEN: David Cassar, Carlo Mamo, Evaldo Silva, Justin Grioli, Roderick Bajada, Andre' Esposito, Mark Tanti (60' Danilo Santos), Daniel Mariano Bueno, Luiz De Castro (50' Manuel Caruana), David Fenech, Orosco Anonam (54' Steven Bonnici).

Scorers: 3' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, 17' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, 67' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, 93' Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara), 42' Mark Tanti (Tarxien).

Yellow Cards: Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara), Daniel Mariano Bueno, Luiz De Castro (Tarxien).

Red Cards: Evaldo Silva (Tarxien).

Man of the match: Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara).

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