Under-17's keep their hopes alive

by Ayrton Galea - 13th March 2014

Birkirkara FC Under-17's kept alives their hopes of keeping their place in the APS Bank Under-17's League Section Am, when on Sunday morning, they beat Mosta with a 2-1 score thanks to goals by Carl Abela and a late strike by Clint Zammit.

It was a deserved victory which saw the Stripes playing fine football, despite of the heavy rain, with their level increasing in the second half. Thanks to this win, the Stripes levelled points with the same Mosta and they will go to the next match against San Gwann with morale sky high.

The Birkirkara team were wearing a black armband on their sleeve, in loving memory of Charles Vella, father of Assistant Coach, John Vella McIntyre, who passed away that morning. In a touching moment, just before kick-off, the players shouted “Let's win together, let's do it for Coach John.”

The First Half

Birkirkara started well, and early in the match they threatened twice by forward Clint Zammit which saw his efforts going wide. However, Mosta were quick to punish the Stripes for not converting their scoring chances as they managed to surge ahead with a fine strike, against the run of play.

The Stripes made a reaction and created the better chances, but Mosta kept strong, to head to their dressing at half time leading by the solitary goal.

The Second Half

Mr. Marko Glumac's half-time speech inspired his players, as the Stripes went out stronger in the second half and they were quick to put their opponents under pressure. For their superiority, the Stripes were rewarded with an equaliser. Mike Zammit delivered an excellent free-kick which found Carl Abela in the perfect position to hit home from inside the box, to put the Stripes back in the match.

Stunned by Birkirkara's aggressive play, Mosta were unable to make a decent reaction as the Stripes continued to play the best football and their superiority produced a late winner. Max Borg Bartolo cleared the ball from the back, Jean Claude Grech took the ball and passed to Clint Zammit, who from the side placed the ball in the second corner of the net, past the Mosta goalkeeper.

With little time remaining, the Stripes stood strong and claimed a priceless victory, to keep alive their hopes of keeping their place in the top division.

First-Eleven: Alistair Micallef, Carl Abela, Sean Chetcuti, Maximilian Borg Bartolo, Zack Cassar, Michael Zammit, Aaron Montebello, Roberto Curmi, Neil Zahra, Clint Zammit, Aaron Attard.

Substitutes: Nigel Borg, Fabien Lufi, Jean Claude Grech.

Scorer: Carl Abela, Clint Zammit.

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