Never-say-die Stripes win at death

by Ayrton Galea - 26th August 2014

Never-say-die Birkirkara FC clinched their third win on the trot in the BOV Premier League, when Paul Fenech's goal deep into stoppage time handed them a narrow 1-0 victory over the well-organised Naxxar Lions FC.

Birkirkara had to wait till the second minute of the stoppage time to convert their superiority into a victory, as in a match which saw Naxxar defending in numbers for long stretches. Paul Fenech scored the winning goal to extend Birkirkara's excellent streak of three wins in a row.

The Stripes produced another fine display, as they held most of the possession and created lots of chances, including having two attempts against the woodwork. However, they found a well-organised and determined Naxxar side, who played their hearts out and were so near to register their third draw in this league campaign.

Mr. Paul Zammit opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, continually shifting to an offensive 4-3-3. Mendoza, replaced Bissi, to partner with Vukanac as central backs, while Muscat and Camenzuli patrolled the side-backs. Scicluna and Fenech started as holding midfielders. Herrera, who replaced Gonzaga, and Grech were preferred as wingers while Ledesma had a roaming role behind the only striker, Ellinton Morais.

Goalkeeper Ini Akpan, defender Joseph Zerafa and midfield duo of Gareth Sciberras and Edmond Agius were all still missing for the Stripes.

The First Half

Birkirkara started strongly but it was Naxxar who went close after just one minute of play when Pape Gueye found space in the box but his close range effort ended wide by a whisker.

The Stripes replied on the fifth minute. From a quick throw-in by Grech, Camenzuli sent a first-time cross but Herrera failed to connect for a matter of inches. On the other side of the pitch, a header by Edet ended wide on the eleventh minute, following a free-kick by Davide Reano.

The Birkirkara clan had the illusion of breaking the deadlock on the sixteenth minute when Ledesma delivered an excellent second-post free-kick, with an unmarked Zach Muscat having his bullet-header ending wide by inches.

Birkirkara continued to show superiority by creating the best scoring opportunities. On the twenty-first minute, Morais served Camenzuli, who took his time to deliver a brilliant second-post cross, which saw Grech firing wide from inside the box.

The Stripes were denied from a stunning opener just past the half-hour when Camenzuli played-in Morais, who controlled the ball before hitting a fierce volley that smashed against the upright.

However, it was not a one-traffic affair for the Stripes, as Naxxar were showing great resilience. On the thirty-third minute, Angus Buhagiar concluded a solo-action with a fine shot that was saved by Haber. Two minutes later, Morais for Birkirkara was unlucky once again, when his header ended just over the net, after a cross by Ryan Camenzuli was once again not held by the Naxxar defence.

Birkirkara continued to dominate, but they struggled to penetrate, as Naxxar held strongly to head to their dressing room with the score unchanged.

The Second Half

The opening stages of the second half saw matters continuing as they left off, with Naxxar opting to defend in numbers, and the frustrated Birkirkara forwards having no space in the final third of the pitch.

Birkirkara's first opportunity in the second half came after eleven minutes, when Zach Muscat's cross found Paul Fenech, but his header ended wide.

The Stripes were starting to despair as time ticked by. Having seen their efforts turning into nothing as they struggled to penetrate, they started trying their luck with shots from outside the box. Desperate attempts by Camenzuli and Fenech saw their powerful drives from outside the box ending over.

Birkirkara pushed harder as time flew. On the sixty-second minute, Paul Fenech drifted inside the box but had his powerful shot was blocked by Azzopardi. Two minutes later the Naxxar goalkeeper made an excellent save to deny Ryan Scicluna.

Seeing his team struggle against a well organised Naxxar defence, Birkirkara's coach effected the first two substitutions on the sixty-seven minute. Eliandro Gonzaga replaced Rafael Ledesma while Matheus Bissi replaced Leighton Grech. These changes led to tactical adjustments as the Birkirkara Coach sought to spark up his forward line.

The Stripes' hopes were fading away as their battle against the time continued, but they kept pushing forward. Eighth minutes from time, substitute Eliandro Gonzaga had a bicycle-kick parried by goalkeeper Azzopardi.

Birkirkara's last substitution saw the inclusion of forward Kurt Zammit, as Birkirkara put everything forward in the last stages. Zammit replaced the hard-working midfielder, Ryan Scicluna.

The match seemed to be ending in a stalemate, but the never-say-die Stripes had a different opinion. Tireless midfielder Paul Fenech, two minutes into added time of the second half, made the best of a short clearance and slammed home from the edge of the box, and the Birkirkara clan erupted in joy.

With no time left for any reaction, Birkirkara controlled their narrow lead to pick their third consecutive victory in the BOV Premier League.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Ryan Camenzuli, Ryan Scicluna (84' Kurt Zammit), Paul Fenech, Edward Herrera, Leighton Grech (67' Matheus Bissi), Rafael Ledesma (67' Eliandro Gonzaga), Ellinton Morais.

NAXXAR: Julian Azzopardi, Andrew Scicluna, Ebok Edet, Victor Belia (80' Gilmar Da Silva), Terence Vella, Pape Gueye, David Fenech (39' Mattia Del Negro), Angus Buhagiar (46' Ryan Cassar), Darren Falzon, Emenike Uchene, Davide Reano.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Luke Portelli.

Additional Assistant Referees: Adrian Azzopardi, Malcolm Spiteri.

Fourth Official: Sammy Attard.

Yellow Cards: 10' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara), 29' Emenike Uchene, 45' Angus Buhagiar (Naxxar)

Scorers: 90+2' Paul Fenech (Birkirkara).

BOV Player of the Match: Julian Azzopardi (Naxxar).

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