Birkirkara win against Marsaxlokk

by Ayrton Galea - 25th August 2010

Birkirkara managed to achieve their first win in the Carlsberg tournament as on Wednesday night, they managed to beat Marsaxlokk with a 3-1 score line.

It was a very good performance for 'The Stripes' as this time Mr. Paul Zammit had adopted a stronger squad as more regular players were included in the starting eleven for the this match.

Birkirkara were the better side throughout the ninety minutes and it was a well deserved win for 'The Stripes' as they continually pressed forward in search of a goal.

On the 2nd minute, Birkirkara were awarded a free-kick from which the goalkeeper punched the ball, with the Marsaxlokk defender having no option except in throwing the ball into a corner kick.

One minute later, a cross from the right, saw Birkirkara clearing the ball with some difficulty.

Then, Paul Fenech shifted the ball perfectly to Trevor Cilia on the 13th minute with the International player going past a defender before shooting the ball which was saved by the Marsaxlokk goaler.

On the 20th minute, Marsaxlokk were awarded a free-kick from which they crossed the ball. Esequiel Lovizon did not clear the ball well enough with the Marsaxlokk player tapping ball towards the net with Angus Buhagiar clearing the ball in the last moment.

Shaun Bajada's free-kick ended wide on the 21st minute.

On the 29th minute, Angus Buhagiar fired a wonderful shot from few meters away from the middle of the field which ended a little bit wide.

Eseuqiel Lovizon rescued the defence when Marsaxlokk penetrated with a dangerous through ball.

Birkirkara tried their luck with a shot from the left which ended wide on the 38th minute.

Few minutes later, Joseph Zerafa's cross was cleared by the Blues defence after exchanging the ball with Shaun Bajada.

The last opportunity for the 1st half was for Birkirkara when Trevor Cilia first had his cross shot blocked on the right, but then he succeeded with the second one with the Marsaxlokk defence clearing the ball. Paul Fenech tried a powerful shot that was deflected into a corner kick.

The second half was more entertaining as Birkirkara took total control of the game as they spent the entire time pressing forward with Marsaxlokk trying their luck with the counter attack.

Two minutes after the restart Shaun Bajada's shot was saved by the goaler.

Hardly a minute later, one of the new acquisitions, Terence Vella was brought down in the box with Marco Borg having no option than to order the penalty, Captain Michael Galea took charge of the penalty and he made no mistake to put 'The Stripes' in the lead.

In the first attack that Birkirkara created after the goal, they doubled the score. This time it was a perfect cross by Trevor Cilia which was met by Michael Galea and his low shot ended into the net after just one minute since Birkirkara had taken the lead.

On the 57th minute, Birkirkara had a shot which ended wide.

On the 61st minute a corner from the right, Shaun Bajada decided to serve a short pass to Trevor Cilia who passed to back to Bajada who then tried his luck . The shot was neutralised by the goaler.

Terence Vella had his shot ending wide on the 62nd minute.

Marsaxlokk created their first opportunity in the second half on the 75th minute as Effiong made an attempt with a powerful shot which ended wide.

Two become three on the 78th minute. Following a huge mistake in the Marsaxlokk defence, Emiliano Lattes won the ball, advanced into the box and put 'The Stripes' three goals ahead.

Manuel Bartolo, who had replaced Esequiel Lovizon in the goal posts, performed a wonderful save in which he neutralized a powerful shot.

On the 87th minute, youngster Keith Fenech had his shot ending wide.

One minute from time, Marsaxlokk scored the consolation goal thanks to a penalty shot scored by Alfred Effiong.

Birkirkara will be involved in the final match next Friday when they will face Hibernians in the match which bring this year's tournament to an end.

comments powered by Disqus