Birkirkara rue lost chances

by Ayrton Galea - 17th April 2011

Birkirkara dropped another two important points in the challenge for the second place as today they were held in a 2-2 draw by Hamrun Spartans.

The match was quite packed with goal scoring opportunities, especially the first half. In fact after just two minutes Dyson Falzon tried his luck with an angled shot but it was blocked by Manuel Bartolo.

On the 10th minute mark, Birkirkara had the perfect opportunity to open the score when Ibrahim Babatunde was floored inside the box and referee Andre Arcola ordered a penalty kick. From the 11 meters, Rowen Muscat saw his attempt being punched into safety by Omar Borg.

What Rowen failed to do, Ibrahim Babatunde managed three minutes later, when he slotted the ball home from a close range to put Birkirkara in the lead.

This lead did not last for long as two minutes later Hamrun Spartans equalised. A corner kick by Dyson Falzon was blocked, however Dyson Falzon won the ball and with a powerful shot from outside the box beat Manuel Bartolo.

'The Stripes' regained the lead on the 20th minute when from a fine cross from the left by Ibrahim Babatunde, Trevor Cilia's first time effort beat Omar Borg.

Birkirkara went all out to try and close the game and they created a lot of good opportunities, however a combination of bad luck and careless finishing they did not manage to turn these opportunities into goals.

First it was Emiliano Lattes who managed to lob the ball over Omar Borg, but Karl Magro managed to clear the ball from the goal-line into safety, and he also anticipated Ibrahim Babatunde from slotting the ball home.

Then five minutes later in a fast counter attack Trevor Cilia was served and all alone against the goalkeeper his weak shot was cleared temporarily by a defender. From the rebound Emiliano Lattes saw his effort ending wide.

On the 33rd minute, it was Trevor Cilia who once again was unmarked in a very ideal position but his shot ended wide by centimetres.

The first half ended with Birkirkara leading 2-1.

Five minutes in the second half Birkirkara had to pay for those lost opportunities, as Hamrun Spartans equalised once again when Marcelo Perreira performed a good run on the right before his diagonal shot beat Manuel Bartolo.

On the 66th minute, Mr. Paul Zammit utilised the first substitution as Karl Pulo replaced Trevor Cilia

Michael Galea missed a good opportunity when he failed to connect with a fine cross from the right by Karl Pulo on the 78th minute

Mr. Paul Zammit made another two substitutions, first on the 82nd minute when Terence Vella replaced Andrew Decesare and four minutes later Michael Galea was replaced by Rodolfo Kumbrevicius. Tthis meant that Birkirkara were playing with five strikers.

Emiliano Lattes tried his luck with a wonderful shot from outside the areas but it was saved in style by Omar Borg .

Three minutes into added time, Paul Fenech was shown the second yellow card which left Birkirkara with 10 players.

In the very last second Birkirkara hit the post and the Hamrun defence cleared the ball into safety. However, Andre Arcola whistled the final whistle which left Birkirkara in the third place, two points before Floriana and one point ahead Marsaxlokk

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