Solid Birkirkara keeps marching on

by Ayrton Galea - 17th November 2012

Birkirkara moved alone to the top of table, when in a one-sided match, 'The Stripes' trounced Melita with a score of 3-0.

It was a low-key encounter which did not produce much in the form of entertainment but Birkirkara dominated right from the start and there was little doubt where the three points were going especially after Birkirkara scored the first goal.

With Gareth Sciberras and Paul Fenech in their typical form, backed by Rowen Muscat who also had a fine performance, the midfield trio were a continuous threat with Gareth Sciberras registering a brace and scoring his first goal in the Premier League with our Club.

Mr. Paul Zammit gave the chance to two youngsters to make their debut as Kurt Zammit and Brandon Attard were included late in the second half.

The First Half

Birkirkara started strongly as Jhonnattann Benites created the first threat on goal as a shot by the Brazilian player ended wide, after two minutes. Three minutes later, Ryan Camenzuli tried his luck with a long distance shot which ended over.

Birkirkara continued to show their intentions and created a wonderful chance on the 9th minute. Paul Fenech served Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who sent a fine cross which was met with a wonderful volley by Da Conceicao which scratched past the post.

A direct freekick by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 11th minute ended over, amidst Birkirkara's early domination.

Melita went close on the 13th minute, when off a cross from the right, but Negrin's back heel failed to be hit in front of Akpan.

Mifsud Triganza performed a fine action on the 17th minute, rounding a defender and advancing on the left but Sapiano parried his low shot.

Once again, Triganza was in action when he fired a fine shot on the 26th minute which was saved by Sapiano. Three minutes later, a direct freekick by Jhonnattann Benites ended over.

Birkirkara took the deserved lead on the 34th minute when Jhonnattann Benites served Ryan Camenzuli who beat Sapiano with a low shot.

Melita had a fine opportunity when Manuel Sierra Camacho failed to hit properly following being served well on the 39th minute.

Melita began to play better football and in fact they had another scoring opportunity on the 45th minute, but a long distance effort ended over.

Birkirkara did the most important thing in the first half to avoid any extra pressure which is to score and end the first half with an advantage.

The Second Half

Gareth Sciberras could have made them two, just three minutes in the second half but his close range effort ended wide.

What Gareth failed to do then, he did just a minute later. Off a perfect pass by Mifsud Triganza, Gareth Sciberras found no difficulty in beating the goalkeeper to notch his first goal in the Premier League with our Club.

This goal definitely wiped away any doubts where the three points were going with 'The Stripes' building a comfortable two-goal lead.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was unlucky not to make them three on the 52nd minute when he had a perfect opportunity. After rounding the goalkeeper and all alone in front of the net, he somehow shot over.

Julian Galea for Melita had a long shot effort on the 63rd minute ending over.

Birkirkara made them three when Gareth scored his second goal. It was a quick action once again when on the 65th minute, Zach Muscat served Gareth Sciberras who rounded a player and beat Sapiano with a powerful shot.

Jhonnattann Benites had a fine solo action concluded with a powerful shot which was saved by Sapiano on the 68th minute.

Paul Fenech had a powerful shot ending over by inches on the 70th minute.

In the first substitution by Birkirkara, Ryan Scicluna replaced Ryan Camenzuli on the 70th minute.

In the second substitution for Birkirkara, Kurt Zammit made his Premier League debut as he replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 78th minute.

Paul Fenech and Jhonnattann Benites combined well on the 74th minute with the latter's shot being blocked and turned into a corner. From the resulting corner, Kurt's header ended wide.

In the third and final substitution, Gareth Sciberras was replaced with Brandon Attard who also made his Premier League debut.

With Birkirkara playing the possession game and just moving the ball around, the full time whistle found Birkirkara moving to the top of the table, one point ahead of Valletta who however have a game in hand.

Gareth Sciberras, scorer of a brace and who had an excellent performance was voted as the man of the match.

BIRKIRKARA: Ini Akpan, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras (80' Brandon Attard), Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli (70' Ryan Scicluna), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (78' Kurt Zammit), Jhonnattann Benites.

MELITA: Matthew Sapiano, George Gribbon, Ivan Tufegdzic, Manuel Sierra Camacho, Matthew Borg, Jovan Vukanic, Nigel Rizzo, Julian Galea, Luke Sammut, Hose Louis Armaro Negrin, Michael Valenzia.

Scorers: 34' Ryan Camenzuli, 49' Gareth Sciberras, 65' Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara)

Yellow Cards: Matthew Borg, Jovan Vukanic, Louis Armaro Negrin (Melita), Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara)

Man of the match: Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara)

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