Superb Stripes opens six point lead

by Ayrton Galea - 14th January 2014

Champions Birkirkara FC set a new Club's record by winning their eleventh straight win, and they opened a six-point lead at the top of the BOV Premier League standings when on Sunday they defeated Qormi FC 3-1.

On the previous Sunday, Birkirkara reached its record of ten consecutive wins, which was set back in 2000. The squad went on by writing a new page by chalking up the eleventh straight win, and they are now just one win away from reaching the Premier League record of twelve straight wins, set by Hibernians.

With Hibernians and Valletta failing to win their respective matches, the pressure was on Birkirkara, who were given a golden opportunity to increase their lead. The Stripes replied with another dazzling performance, and they were superior for long stretches, and the score could have been bigger if they converted more of their ample scoring opportunities.

Pre-match predictions would have put Birkirkara as favourites, but recent matches between these two teams, produced a lot of surprises by Qormi. This time it was a different story, as Birkirkara left the National Stadium with the precious points.

Having taken an early lead, the Stripes could have closed the issue in the first half, as they created several scoring opportunities. However, what they failed to do in the first forty-five minutes, they did twenty minutes in the second half as they scored their second goal. Qormi narrowed the gap, but the Stripes remained strong and sealed the issue with the third goal for a final score of 3-1.

Mr. Paul Zammit switched his team to an offensive 4-3-2-1 formation with Jhonnattann Benites, back from suspension being Birkirkara's central striker supported by Shola Shodiya and Frank Temile on the wings. Joseph Zerafa also was drafted back inside the first-eleven selection, as he replaced Ryan Camenzuli.

On the other hand, Qormi under the guidance of new coach Karel Zeman, opted for a balanced 4-1-4-1 formation as they sought to pack their midfield department and close all possible gaps at the back.

The First Half

Birkirkara went out superior and they made their intentions clear by seeking an early opener. After just five minutes, Joseph Zerafa and Gareth Sciberras exchanged possession, before the latter had a fierce drive from outside the box, sailing over.

Frank Temile, whose recent improved performances rewarded him with another first-eleven start, produced a fine run on the left and served Gareth Sciberras, who had a threatening cross-shot parried by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.

Birkirkara continued to dictate matters in the opening stages and Paul Fenech had an in-swinging shot from the edge of the box scratching past the far post on the tenth minute.

Birkirkara were rewarded for their superiority as they broke the deadlock on the fifteenth minute. Jhonnattann Benites' curling free-kick smashed against the cross bar, and in came Edward Herrera to head home for the opening goal.

Boosted by the goal, the Stripes remained in total control of the match, and just past the twenty-first minute mark, they could have doubled their lead. An excellent through-ball found Jhonnattann on the run, but he missed the target, in front of goalkeeper Farrugia.

The Stripes continued to torment Qormi and they had another golden opportunity to double the lead on the half hour mark. Frank Temile who was being a continuous treat, showed great vision to send an excellent through-ball in the direction of Shola Shodiya, but the latter hit over from close range.

Qormi started to settle down and they began to get out of their own half. They created their first scoring opportunity on the thirty-seventh minute, thanks to a free-kick from outside the box by Triston Caruana, which ended over.

Three minutes from half-time, the Stripes threatened for the last time in the first half. Following a fast break-away, Shola Shodiya showed great skill, to drift inside the box from the right and sent a low cross, which Jhonnattann Benites hit wide.

Referee Andre Arciola's half-time whistle saw Birkirkara with only one goal to show for their superiority.

The Second Half

The start of the second half was on a slower tempo, but it was the Stripes who once again were showing superiority.

Nine minutes in the second half, Roderick Sammut risked committing an own goal, when he tried to clear into safety a Frank Temile's cross from the left, and the ball had to be pushed away into safety by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.

Paul Fenech had a central shot easily parried by goalkeeper Farrugia on the fifty-eighth minute.

In the Stripes' first substitution, on the hour mark, Shola Shodiya was withdrawn and replaced by Terence Vella.

Qormi had a golden opportunity to equalise on the sixty-second minute. Alfred Effiong profited from a defensive blunder and he drifted forward, but Justin Haber showed great reflexes to push away Effiong's effort, and keep the Maltese Champions in the lead.

The wasted opportunity by a struggling Qormi side, turned to be costly as twenty minutes in the second half, the Stripes doubled the lead. Jhonnattann Benites delivered an excellent first-post corner kick and Alejandro Mendoza headed home. This was the Spaniard's first official goal with our Club.

Qormi, down and out following Birkirkara's second goal, were unable to make any sort of reaction and the Stripes continued to control the match. On the seventy-seventh minute, substitute Terence Vella had a powerful drive sailing over the bar.

The Yellow-Blacks got back in the match twelve minutes from time. Triston Farrugia found Effiong inside the box and the Nigerian player rounded Justin Haber before depositing into an empty night from a tight angle.

In Birkirkara's second substitution on the seventy-eight minute, Ryan Scicluna was introduced to give more strength to the midfield department and he replaced Frank Temile.

Birkirkara could have restored their two goal lead on the eighty-first minute when off a cross from the right, Jhonnattann Benites headed in the hands of goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia from close range.

Qormi, all out on the attack, tried to surprise the Champions five minutes from time with a first-time effort by Triston Farrugia, which ended wide.

However, two minutes from time, Birkirkara made sure that there will not be any upsets and they sealed the issue with the third goal. Terence Vella served Jhonnattann Benites inside the box, and he sent the ball in the path of Ryan Scicluna who hit past Farrugia.

The chants of ‘campioni, campioni' by the Birkirkara supporters characterised the final moments of the match, as referee Andre Arciola's full time whistle found Birkirkara chalking up their eleventh straight win to open a six-point lead at the top of the BOV Premier League.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Edward Herrera, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat, Frank Temile (78' Ryan Scicluna), Jhonnattann Benites (88' Ryan Camenzuli), Shola Shodiya (60' Terence Vella).

Qormi: Matthew Farrugia, Alfred Effiong, Roderick Sammut, Christian Terrible (69' Gianluca Nucera), Leighton Grech, Roderick Bajada, Gabriel Da Silva (77' Abudullai Isakka), Triston Farrugia, Owen Bugeja, Emerson Vella (69' Duncan Pisani) Jonathan Bondin.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Albert Borg Cardona.

Additional Referees: Alan Mario Sant, Paul Caruana.

Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri.

Scorers:15' Edward Herrera, 65' Alejandro Mendoza, 88' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara), 77' Alfred Effiong (Qormi).

BOV Man of the Match: Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara).

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