Stripes condemned to the second consecutive defeat

by Ayrton Galea - 11th December 2016

Birkirkara FC fell to the second consecutive defeat in the BOV Premier League, when in the debut of Coach Nikola Jaros, a second-half reaction wasn't enough to overcome a 2-1 defeat against Sliema Wanderers FC.

Sliema Wanderers built a two-goal in the first half and the Stripes made a reaction in the second half but a goal eighth minutes from time by Frank Temile weren't enough for them to take any points as they fell to the second consecutive defeat.

Coach Nikola Jaros made three changes in his debut as he gave the nod to James Brincat for his first start while Joseph Zerafa, who was returning from a one-match ban, replaced Shaun Bajada. In the other change, suspended Nikola Vukanac was replaced by Predrag Jovic.

The First Half

Birkirkara produced a fine opportunity after six minutes, when Matthew Guillaumier found Frank Temile in a good position outside the box but the Nigerian's shot failed to hit the target while ten minutes later, James Brincat had a fine curling free-kick ended just over the net.

The Stripes could have surged ahead on the twenty-second minute. A corner kick by James Brincat saw Jovic hitting a fine header towards Matteo Desira Buttigieg who stretched to reach the ball but failed to hit the target from just yards out.

Sliema Wanderers broke the dead-lock ten minutes from half-time. A short clearance following a corner kick by Ryan Spiteri saw the same player receiving possession and his accurate cross found Jean Paul Farrugia who hit home a well-placed header.

The Wanderers added Birkirkara's woes seven minutes later when they doubled the lead. A low cross from the left found Farrugia again who avoided past his marker and beat goalkeeper Kopric from a tight angle.

The Second Half

Coach Nikola Jaros roped in Ryan Scicluna and Shaun Bajada off James Brincat and Matteo Desira Buttigieg for the start of the second half, as the Croatian Coach changed his formation to a 4-2-3-1 cum 4-2-1-3 formation.

Birkirkara wasted a golden chance twenty minutes from time when goalkeeper Glenn Zammit failed to keep the ball and Plut stole possession but from just yards out opted to serve Temile and the Nigerian forward failed to hit the ball in an empty net.

The Stripes were unlucky not to reduce the gap fifteen minutes from time, when off a corner by substitute Bajada, Jovic saw his header denied by the post, but they pulled one back eighth minutes from time. It was another well taken corner by Bajada which the ball remained not cleared and Frank Temile slotted home from close-range.

Birkirkara put everything forward in the last moments of the match but Sliema Wanderers held strong to condemn the Stripes for the second consecutive defeat.

BIRKIRKARA: Miroslav Kopric, Christian Bubalovic, Matthew Guillaumier, Mislav Andelkovic, Matteo Desira Buttigieg (46′ Ryan Scicluna), Vito Plut, Frank Temile, Joseph Zerafa, Cain Attard, Predrag Jovic, James Brincat (46′ Shaun Bajada).

SLIEMA WANDERERS: Glenn Zammit, Peter Xuereb, Alex Muscat, Roger De Souza Villas Boas, Stefano Bianciardi, Gabriel Aquilina (71′ Armando Vieira dos Santos), Matias Muchardi (80′ Michele Sansone), Gary Muir, Ryan Spiteri, Jean Paul Farrugia, Denni Rocha dos Santos (89′ Wisdom Salomon).

Referee: Mario Apap.
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Chris Francalanza.
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri.

Yellow Cards: 36' Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara), 53' Stefan Bianciardi, 90' Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers).

Scorers: 35′ Jean Paul Farrugia, 42′ Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers), 82′ Frank Temile (Birkirkara).

BOV Player of the Match: Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers).

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