Under-15's Team win the double

by Ayrton Galea - 1st April 2014

Birkirkara FC Under-15's Team rounded off a superb season as they managed to clinch a memorable double. After winning the Section B league, yesterday evening they managed to beat Section A side of Sliema Wanderers with a solitary goal in the combative Under-15's Knockout Final.

It was a decisive goal by Gianluca Zammit mid-way through the first half which put the Stripes in the lead. Having taking a deserved lead, Birkirkara defended with all their heart. Sliema Wanderers piled on the pressure on, but they failed to break Birkirkara's resistance.

This was the cherry on the cake for the determined Birkirkara squad, just three weeks after winning the league title. Needless to say, this group of players certainly have a bright future ahead of them.

The First Half

With so much at stake for both teams, the match started on a balanced note, however it was the Stripes that were showing the better ideas.

Birkirkara threatened first in the match. Gianluca Zammit did well to connect off a corner-kick but his header was pushed away by the goalkeeper.

In the opening minutes, the match turned into a tug-of-war in the midfield, with Birkirkara showing the brighter ideas.

The Stripes managed to surge ahead in their first decent scoring attempt. Just pat the twentieth minute mark, team captain Neil Micallef showed great vision by unzipping the Sliema's defence with a brilliant through-pass that found the on-running Gianluca Zammit. Zammit lobbed over the goalkeeper but his effort hit the upright, before the same player concluded home, aided by a deflection of a Sliema defender.

With one goal ahead, Birkirkara were quick to shift their focus not to leave any space for the Sliema forward line. The rearguard, led by Julian Camilleri, made an excellent job leaving the Sliema forwards at bay.

A few moments before the half-time whistle, Birkirkara threatened again, when Isaac Cirana made a solo-action which he concluded with a powerful shot that ended wide.

The first half ended with Birkirkara leading by one, thanks to the goal by Gianluca Zammit.

The Second Half

With just thirty-five minutes to go, Sliema went out as the better side as they were chasing the match. After just one minute, they created a fine scoring opportunity when the Sliema forward had a shot from the edge of the box ending wide.

Two minutes later, Sliema had a golden opportunity, when an inviting pass inside the box put the Sliema forward face to face with the Birkirkara goalkeeper. However, the Sliema forward mishot his attempt with the ball scratching past the far post.

Sliema continued to apply pressure and on the fifty-second minute, they threatened again when they had a shot from inside the box ending wide from an ideal position.

Birkirkara's Coach John Vella adjusted his team positioning, and it bore fruit. The Stripes were now maintaining the pressure better. On the other hand, Sliema began to feel frustrated as time was ticking down. In a desperate attempt, a shot from distance ended over for Sliema.

Sliema went all out on attack in the last few minutes but their efforts failed to break Birkirkara's bold resistance and the referee's full-time whistle found Birkirkara clinching a memorable double.

Captain Neil Micallef was presented with the trophy in front of the numerous Birkirkara supporters, who created a wonderful atmosphere at the Victor Tedesco Stadium with chants of ‘We Are The Champions' hitting the stadium as they were presented with the deserved award.

First Eleven: Clyde Aquilina, Briam Mifsud, Jordan Sciberras, Nicholas Farrugia, Julian Camilleri, Kyle Mifsud, Neil Micallef, Isaac Ciranna, Karl Caruna, Ayrton Attard, Gianluca Zammit.

Substitutes: Gary Spiteri, Braden Calleja*, Justin Cardona, Sergio Conti.

Scorer: Gianluca Zammit.

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