Birkirkara defeat Sliema Wanderers

by Ayrton Galea - 26th July 2014

A goal by Edward Herrera gave Birkirkara a narrow 2-1 victory against Sliema Wanderers in a friendly match played on Friday evening.

In a friendly match where both sides made use of a big number of youngsters, Birkirkara emerged as winners thanks to a fine comeback. Sliema took the lead close to half hour but Nikola Vukanac equalized before the half-time whistle before Edward Herrera scored a brilliant volley to turn the match around.

Birkirkara's first-eleven selection featured Ini Akpan as goalkeeper while Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac and Zach Muscat in the three-line defence. Matheus Bissi was given an advanced role in the midfield with Ryan Scicluna supporting wingers Joseph Zerafa and Edward Herrera. Rafael Ledesma took his usual position roaming before the two strikers Kurt Zammit and Leighton Grech.

Mr. Paul Zammit had no less than five players unavailable for his selection, namely goalkeeper Justin Haber, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Edmond Agius and striker Eliandro Gonzalez.

The First Half

Birkirkara started well and they threatened as early as the second minute when Leighton Grech concluded a fine action from the right with a powerful shot which was turned into a corner kick. From the resulting corner taken by Ledesma, Vukanac had a fine header ending wide.

Following a cross by Ledesma, Mendoza had his header turned into a corner kick and four minutes later, Ledesma had a fine free-kick parried by the goalkeeper.

Birkirkara kept their early momentum when Joseph Zerafa concluded a solo-action with a low shot on the twelfth minute. Eight minutes later, a cross shot for Sliema was parried by goalkeeper Akpan.

Mid-way through the first half, Birkirkara went close when Kurt Zammit beat the offside trap and raced forward before serving Leighton Grech who had his first-time shot ending wide. Minute later, in a well-built action, Sliema had a shot nuetrilised by a fine save of Akpan.

Sliema surged ahead on the twenty-eight minute when John Mintoff penetrated inside the box before serving Nikola Tasic that had a brilliant shot from outside the box finishing in the right top corner leaving Akpan with no chance.

Ten minutes from half, Ledesma managed to surprise the Sliema goalkeeper with a long-distance effort which was turned into a corner kick.

Five minutes later, Ledesma dribbled past three players before racing forward but the Brazilian player concluded over.

Birkirkara equalised just before the half-time whistle. Ledesma, as usual in charge from set-pieces, delivered a brilliant corner kick that saw Nikola Vukanac connecting perfectly by hitting a powerful header to level the score.

The first forty-five minute ended with the two sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

The Second Half

Promising youngster Aidan Friggieri had the first shot inside the second half as his low shot was parried by Akpan. Birkirkara replied four minutes later with a shot from inside the box from Leighton Grech which ended wide.

Ten minutes inside the second half, in a fast break-away for Birkirkara, Ryan Scicluna served Leighton Grech who in front of the goalkeeper had his effort cleared by the defence. Grech was involved in action four minutes later but his lob ended over.

On the hour mark, Rafael Ledesma was replaced by Ryan Camenzuli.

Zach Muscat almost put Birkirkara in the lead on twenty minutes inside the Second Half when off a drop ball, the strong defender had a fierce strike scratching past the far post. Two minutes later, Birkirkara had a goal disallowed for a controversial offside position.

On the sixty-eighth minute minute, Leighton Grech was replaced with promising youngster Antoine Borg.

Birkirkara surged ahead twenty minutes from time when off a cross by Kurt Zammit, the cross was deflected only to reach a wonderful volley by Herrera which hit past the Sliema Wanderers goalkeeper.

Sliema had a good chance to equalise three minutes later but a shot from inside the box following a fast break-away ended over.

Ten minutes from time, Alejandro Mendoza was replaced by Under-19's Team promising player, Russell Gatt De Raffaele.

In a fast break away on the eighty-third minute, Herrera served Kurt Zammit who had a fine volley parried by the Sliema goalkeeper.

Five minutes from time, another player forming part of the Under-19 Team, Andrea Curmi replaced Edward Herrera.

Birkirkara kept superior in the final minutes to pick-up a narrow 2-1 victory. Birkirkara will be involved in another friendly match next Friday against Hibernians.

Birkirkara FC: Ini Akpan, Edward Herrera (85' Andrea Curmi), Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza (80' Russell Gatt De Raffaele), Matheus Bissi, Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Scicluna, Rafael Ledesma (60' Rafael Ledesma), Kurt Zammit, Leighton Grech (68' Antoine Borg).

Scorers: 44' Nikola Vukanac, 70' Edward Herrera (Birkirkara), 28' Nikola Tasic.

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