Zerafa's strike hands Birkirkara another narrow win

by Ayrton Galea - 27th October 2013

Birkirkara earned a hard fought victory over Tarxien Rainbows, thanks to a goal by Joseph Zerafa ten minutes from the end of the first half, to register their second consecutive victory.

In a match lacking from both goal scoring opportunities and entertainment, the Stripes managed to produce to best ideas and to hold strong to keep pace with the top teams.

Prior to the match, the inconsistency of Tarxien Rainbows might have put the Stripes as favourites to collect the three points. However, the Rainbows showed great improvement from their last performance and they frustrated the Stripes, but the latter were determined enough to leave the Centenary Stadium with the three precious points.

The Stripes should have registered a bigger score as they left with little to show for their efforts. Once again, they failed to conclude many of their scoring opportunities.

If the Champions were let down by their lack of sharpness in the forward line, they certainly made up for it by having its rearguard in an excellent form. Their solid performance left Tarxien unable to penetrate with goalkeeper Justin Haber rarely being tested during the whole ninety minutes.

The absence of Paul Fenech and Gareth Sciberras forced Mr. Paul Zammit to reshuffle his first-eleven selection in order to fill the gap in the midfield department. Mr. Zammit went out with a 3-5-2 formation with Frank Temile and Jhonnattann Benites composing the forward line continually supported by Shola Shodiya.

Demba Toure was omitted from the first-eleven and he was replaced by Matheus Bissi who took his place back in the Stripes' rearguard while Ryan Scicluna was given the green light in the starting line-up.

The First Half

The match kicked-off on a good tempo as both sides went out seeking an early edge, however both teams managed to cancel each other in the first minutes.

Tarxien tested goalkeeper Justin Haber early in the match. They had a direct corner kick on the fifth minute, but he blocked it.

The Stripes failed to settle in during the opening stages of the match, and it was Tarxien Rainbows who managed to be the most aggressive side. Their continuous pressing was rewarding them possession and the Stripes were left struggling and short of ideas, with most of the time losing possession due to erratic passes.

Joseph Zerafa and Frank Temile made a fine combination on the seventeenth minute. The Nigerian forward served Zerafa who saw his shot deflected into a corner kick.

From the resulting corner, Tarxien's short clearance saw Ryan Scicluna hitting a powerful drive which ended over the bar from an ideal position.

The Stripes remained on the attack as they were still seeking an edge over their opponents. On the twenty-second minute, Zach Muscat had a shot ending over.

The Stripes were improving slightly in their play, but Tarxien were holding on. The aggressive pressing by the Rainbows was being the main factor for neutralizing the Stripes, who were struggling to test goalkeeper Nicholas Vella.

The Stripes' efforts was rewarded ten minutes from the end of the first half as they surged ahead. Edward Herrera delivered an excellent cross on the far post which saw the captain of the team on the day, Joseph Zerafa, hitting a powerful low volley to beat goalkeeper Vella.

The Stripes, who managed to take a deserved lead, remained on the attack. Just four minutes later, they went close to double the lead. Shodiya served Frank Temile on the run, who then sent a cross on the second post which saw Jhonnattann Benites' header being parried by goalkeeper Vella.

Four minutes from the end of the first half, Shola Shodiya shot a powerful volley but failed to hit the target as his attempt on goal ended completely wide.

The first-half ended with Joseph Zerafa's strike making all the difference as the Stripes had a narrow lead.

The Second Half

With just one goal separating both sides, the tempo of the match began on a high note as Birkirkara and Tarxien went out on an aggressive note.

Tarxien might have been enjoying possession in the early stages of the second half and they were trying to pile pressure, but the Stripes had their defence being solid and managing to cancel out whatever came their way.

Birkirkara created the first opportunity of the second half on the fifty-eight minute. Rowen Muscat served Jhonnattann Benites whose in-swinging strike scratched past the right post.

On the other side of the pitch, Tarxien tried to test Justin Haber with a powerful shot from outside the box by Miguel Ciantar but the promising youngster saw his drive ending wide on the sixty-third minute.

The Rainbows were being reliable on their counter-attacks, mostly using the speed of the former Birkirkara player, Jorge Santos Silva who was always being a threat for the Stripes. However, the Rainbows looked short of ideas and they could not find the way through.

Having sensed the Rainbows hungriness for the equaliser, Paul Zammit was quick to make his first substitution. On the sixty-seventh minute, Frank Temile was replaced by Ryan Camenzuli, to strengthen the Stripes' rear-guard.

Despite failing to penetrate, Tarxien were managing to keep the Stripes under pressure but they hardly tested goalkeeper Justin Haber. On the seventy-fifth minute, Jorge Santos Silva had a volley ending wide without troubling goalkeeper Haber.

In the Stripes' second change, on the 80th minute, Edward Herrera was replaced by Daniel Zerafa. Four minutes later, Mr. Paul Zammit made his last change as replaced Jhonnattann Benites to bring on Demba Toure.

Substitute Ryan Camenzuli had a first-timer ending wide, five minutes from time following a cross from the right. Two minutes from time, Birkirkara had a penalty-shout turned down by Referee Chris Lautier after Daniel Zerafa seemed to be floored inside the penalty area.

Tarxien made their final effort at the dead moments of the match but the Stripes stood strong to collect their second consecutive victory.

Birkirkara: Justin Haber, Matheus Bissi, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa, Zach Muscat, Edward Herrera (80' Daniel Zerafa), Ryan Scicluna, Rowen Muscat, Jhonnattann Benites (84' Demba Toure), Shola Shodiya, Frank Temile (67' Ryan Camenzuli).

Tarxien: Nicholas Vella, Steven Sadowski (79' Steven Bonnici), Andrew Agius, Luca Martinelli, Marko Potezica, Ronallie Calheira Seara, Miguel Ciantar (67' Karl Pulo), Everton Souza Santos, Ryan Sammut, Josef Mifsud, Jorge Santos Silva.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Assistant Refereers: Robert Vella, Thomas Debono.

Fourth Official: Glenn Tonna.

Yellow Cards: Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara), Ronallie Calheira Seara (Tarxien Rainbows)

Scorers: 35' Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara).

BOV Man of the Match: Edward Herrera (Birkirkara).

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