Birkirkara bounce back

by Ayrton Galea - 1st October 2011

A wonderful over-head kick by the Man of the Match, Moises Avila Perez and a fine direct freekick by Rodrigo Pereira helped Birkirkara to bounce back when yesterday evening they defeated Marsaxlokk with a score of 2-1.

After they failed to pick maximum points in the last three matches, Birkirkara could not afford to lose more precious points and they returned to winning ways with a fine performance which saw Birkirkara dominating and picking a deserving win.

It was not an easy match, as Marsaxlokk were also in desperate need of these three points, but thanks to the determination and never-give-up attitude by all the players it was Birkirkara who is back on the right track.

One should mention the great goal scored by Moises Avila Perez. Once again the Spanish striker found the net, and has now scored five goals from six matches which shows his class as a striker.

For Birkirkara, Mr. Peter Pullicino was in charge of the team, and there is no doubt that he done a very good job during this week to lifts the players moral and motivate them to win these three precious points.

'The Stripes' began with a 4-4-2 formation, where the only change from last match against Sliema saw Leighton Grech replacing Joseph Zerafa. In fact, the starting line up was: Jorge Mora defending the posts, Angus Buhagiar and Andrew Decesare patrolling the side backs while Rodrigo Pereira and once again Rowen Muscat formed the central backs. Paul Fenech and Gareth Sciberras were in the role of central midfielders while Leighton Grech and Trevor Cilia as side midfielders. Shola Haruna Shodyia and Moises Avila Perez began as strikers.

The First Half

The first half saw Birkirkara having the lion's share of possession, however they failed to turn this advantage into opportunities as the Marsaxlokk custodian was hardly tested, and the only dangerous action for Birkirkara was denied by the post as Rodrigo Pereira's header hit the woodwork.

0' - In the first action for Marsaxlokk, Mora saved a header following a cross from the right.

0' - Moises Avila Perez was in an offside position.

1' - Obinna Obiefule was in an offside position.

2' - Florent Raimy fouled Paul Fenech, and from the following freekick, Rodrigo's effort ended wide.

3' - Shola Haruna's weak shot was deflected into corner.

5' - Moises' cross was deflected into a corner kick. From the following corner, it was cleared into another corner and from the second corner; the Marsaxlokk defence cleared the danger.

8' - Leighton Grech was fouled.

9' - A fine cross by Leighton Grech was met by Shola whose effort ended wide.

10' - Shola's extended foot foul gave Marsaxlokk a freekick.

13' - Moises won a corner for Birkirkara.

18' - Gareth Sciberras was fouled.

20' - A cross by Trevor Cilia was deflected into a corner. From the following corner, the Marsaxlokk custodian, Christian Cassar saved in two attempts.

21' - Marsaxlokk were caught in an offside position.

23' - A cross by Leighton Grech was deflected into a corner. From the following corner Birkirkara almost took the lead when Rodrigo's header hit the woodwork and was then cleared by the defence into safety.

25' - Birkirkara won a corner, which was then nuetrilised by the goalkeeper.

26' - In an isolated action for Marsaxlokk, they almost scored the opening goal. A good run by Obinna saw him advancing in the box but his low shot was deflected into a corner kick by Jorge Mora.

28' - Birkirkara had to utilise their fist substitution as injured Angus Buhagiar had to be replaced with Joseph Zerafa. This saw Trevor Cilia changing his role to right back, Leighton Grech took the role of right side midfielder and Joseph Zerafa acted as a left side midfielder.

29' - Paul Fenech was fouled.

30' - Moises fouled.

30' - Andrew Decesare fouled.

33' - Moises was fouled, then from the following freekick a Birkirkara player fouled by pushing and gave away a freekick to Marsaxlokk.

35' - A fine cross from the left by Joseph Zerafa, Shola hit wide.

36' - Trevor fouled.

36' - Rodrigo Pereira was fouled.

37' - Marsaxlokk fouled.

39' - A foul was whistled for Gareth committing dangerous play.

40' - Shola performed a good solo run on the right and he won a foul outside the box for a hands ball. From the following freekick, a short clearance was met with a low powerful shot by Paul Fenech which ended wide.

43' - Marsaxlokk had an attempt on goal ending wide.

43' - Shola hit wide after he was served by Joseph Zerafa from the left.

45' - One minute of extra time was shown.

45' + 1' - Obinna's weak shot ended wide.

The Second Half

The second half saw both teams going for goal as there were more opportunities and it was a more entertaining half. After Mora saved a one versus one effort by Obinna, Birkirkara took charge of the game. After taking the lead there were no doubt where the three points were going, although one should mention that Marsaxlokk gave their all but finally it was a deserved win for Birkirkara.

0' - Shola Haruna served Moises whose shot ended in a goal kick.

0' - Shola Haruna was fouled, and from the following freekick it was deflected into a corner kick, from the corner, the Marsaxlokk custodian nuetrilised the cross to avoid any danger.

2' - Obinna fouled Shola Haruna.

4' - Moises fouled.

4' - Marsaxlokk had the perfect opportunity to score the first goal but a great save by Mora denied Obinna to open the score and put Marsaxlokk in the lead.

6' - Paul Fenech's effort was intercepted by a hand ball and Birkirkara gained a freekick. From the following freekick, Shola's effort ended wide.

7' - Birkirkara won a freekick.

8' - Moises won a corner for Birkirkara.

12' - Joseph Zerafa was fouled, and from the following freekick Birkirkara took the lead thanks to a wonderful direct effort by Rodrigo Pereira who gave the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper, Christian Cassar no chance. 1-0 for Birkirkara.

13' - Joseph Zerafa committed a foul on the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper.

13' - Marsaxlokk handled the ball and gave away Birkirkara the freekick.

14' - Joseph Zerafa was shown the yellow card for a simulation after he seemed to be floored inside the box.

15' - Marsaxlokk were unlucky not to equalise when Mora saved the ball but he failed to grab it due to an injury. Trevor Templeman's effort from the rebound hit Obinna but the latter was in an offside position.

18' - Joseph Zerafa was fouled.

20' - Marsaxlokk had an attempt on goal by Trevor Templeman ending wide.

21' - Leighton Grech was fouled.

21' - Leighton Grech fouled.

22' - Andrew Decesare fouled.

23' - Obinna Obiefule fouled.

24' - Marsaxlokk made their first substitution as Birkirkara's loaned player Patrick Borg was replaced by Dylan Kokavessis due to an injury.

25' - Birkirkara made them two thanks to a spectacular goal by Moises Avila Perez whose over-head kick beat Cassar after he was well served from the right by Leighton Grech.

26' - Birkirkara made their second substitution as Alan Tabone replaced Shola Haruna.

25' - Rodrigo Pereira was fouled.

26' - Leighton Grech handled the ball and he was shown the yellow card.

28' - Marsaxlokk had a good chance to pull one back but their effort ended over the bar after Obinna Obiefule served well.

29' - Mora made a fine save following a good inviting cross from the left.

30' - A good solo run by Paul Fenech saw the latter's effort ending wide.

32' - In another attempt by Marsaxlokk, the effort ended wide.

33' - Trevor Cilia was fouled.

33' - Marsaxlokk's midfielder Florent Raimy was fouled. From the following freekick, Mora saved well.

35' - Mr. Peter Pullicino made the final substitution as Terence Vella replaced Leighton Grech.

37' - A shot from outside the area by Paul Fenech was saved by the goalkeeper.

38' - Marsaxlokk made their second substitution as Trevor Templeman was replaced by Jonathan Scerri.

40' - Terence Vella was fouled but from the following freekick, Birkirkara fouled and gave Marsaxlokk the freekick.

42' - A dangerous cross by Marsaxlokk from the right ended in a goal kick for Birkirkara.

43' - Rodrigo Pereira fouled.

44' - An inviting cross from the left, Obinna Obiefule headed wide.

45' - Four minutes of extra time were shown.

45' + 3 - Marsaxlokk pulled one back thanks to a fine uprising shot by substitute Dylan Kokavessis.

45' + 4 - The referee blows the full time whistle.

Birkirkara claimed their first win after three matches and definitely that this was an important boost for all the players who will be facing Valletta in fifteen days time.

Line Ups:

Birkirkara: Jorge Mora, Angus Buhagiar (28' Joseph Zerafa). Rodrigo Pereira, Rowen Muscat, Andrew Decesare, Trevor Cilia, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Leighton Grech (80' Terence Vella), Shola Haruna Shodyia (71' Alan Tabone), Moises Avila Perez.

Marsaxlokk: Christian Cassar, Carlo Mamo, Patrick Borg (69' Dylan Kokavessis), Malcolm Licari, Florent Raimy, Carlos Campagnoli, Trevor Templeman (85' Jonathan Scerri), Clive Brincat, Emiliano Lattes, Martin Deanov, Obinna Obiefule.

Yellow Cards: Clive Brincat (Marsaxlokk), Joseph Zerafa, Andrew Decesare, Leighton Grech (Birkirkara)

Scorers: 57' Rodrigo Pereira, 70' Moises Avila Perez (Birkirkara), 93' Dylan Kokavessis (Marsaxlokk)

Man of the match: Moises Avila Perez

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