Birkirkara and Valletta share the spoils

by Ayrton Galea - 16th October 2010

A wonderful goal by Trevor Cilia ten minutes from the end meant that Birkirkara registered their first draw of the season as they shared spoils with Valletta in a match that ended 2-2.

It was an entertaining clash which saw Birkirkara taking the lead. This was followed by two goals from Valletta few minutes later, and it seemed that they were heading for another three points. But Trevor Cilia had other plans, and his powerful shot gave Andrew Hogg no chance.

Besides Trevor Cilia who scored a brace, another player who had a five star performance was Manuel Bartolo who made several great saves including neutralising a penalty kick which was the turning point of the game for 'The Stripes'

Nikola Vukanac and Scottish goalkeeper, Michael Fraser were making their first Premier League appearance for the season. Vukanac was back after serving a three match ban, while Fraser was for the first time on the bench since he was registered a few days back.

Valletta were definitely the best team in the pitch in the first half, and they created several scoring chances and could easily have taken the lead.

The first attempt for the Citizens was after just one minute when a lob shot by Deni Rocha Dos Santos was turned into a corner kick by Manuel Bartolo.

Deni was in action again two minutes later when he tried his luck with another shot that ended wide.

Manuel Bartolo performed another good save on a shot by Omonigho Temile in the 9th minute.

Valletta kept on dominating the game and a close range shot from Terence Scerri was saved by Bartolo while few minutes later a shot from Deni Rocha Dos Santos was blocked by Manuel with the Birkirkara custodian managing to block the shot from rebound as well.

Birkirkara managed to take the lead on the 27th minute when a perfect pass by Michael Galea found Trevor Cilia who put the ball into the right hand side of Andre Hogg to put the Champions in the lead.

Valletta managed to bounce back three minutes later when they managed to score the equaliser from a pass by Ian Azzopardi that found Kevin Sammut unmarked, and he managed to beat Manuel Bartolo for the first time.

On the 31st minute, Manuel Bartolo neutralised a shot from Dos Santos.

Valletta took the lead when a cross from the right from Kevin Sammut found Jamie Pace unmarked with the latter firing a powerful shot from inside the area and it gave Manuel Bartolo no chance.

A diagonal shot from Terence Scerri one minute from time ended wide.

The first half ended with the current league leaders having a minimum lead.

The second half saw Birkirkara being more dominant and they were rewarded for their efforts by scoring the equaliser.

At first, the second half was played at a slower pace and both sides were not accurate enough.

On the 63rd minute a powerful shot by Trevor Cilia was saved by Andrew Hogg.

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Valletta could easily have increased their lead three minutes later when Paul Fenech fell Den Rocha Dos Santos in the box. The same player took charge of the penalty kick, but Manuel Bartolo stopped his powerful central shot in a firm grip.

This was the turning point of the game as Birkirkara's momentum increased and they were more aggressive.

On the 72nd minute, Simon after entered the penalty area but his lob ended wide.

Ten minutes from the end, saw a pass from Michael Galea to Trevor Cilia, with the latter firing a powerful shot from outside the box, and the ball ended in the left top corner to equalise the score, amidst the joy from the Birkirkara faithful.

After this goal, both side defended well and they both managed to earn a point each from this entertaining match.

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