Under-17's Team start league campaign with a win

by Ayrton Galea - 2nd December 2014

Birkirkara FC Under-17's Team kicked off their APS Bank Under-17's League Section B commitments on a positive note when on Sunday morning, they defeated Pembroke Athleta FC 2-1.

The Stripes, losing just one match in the last minute in the Group Stage, that denied them Section A football, once again confirmed the potential of the squad as they registered the first victory in the league thanks to a very satisfying performance.

Scoring an early goal in each half paved the way for the Stripes, with Pembroke pulling one back six minutes from time, which however was not enough to save something from this match as the Stripes stood strong to grab the first three points of the league.

The First Half

The Stripes went out with all guns blazing, and they surged ahead after just seven minutes. Ryan Muscat found space inside the box to hit a powerful strike, that gave the Pembroke goalkeeper no chance.

The goal added to Birkirkara's momentum and they continued to enjoy superiority over their opponents. On the eighteenth minute mark, Gianluca Zammit saw his right-footed volley ending over following some good play down the flanks.

Birkirkara suffered a set-back on the twenty-second minute when midfielder Neil Micallef was feeling unwell and was unable to continue playing, and he was substituted by Owen Cauchi.

One goal up, the Stripes gave little space to their opponents to get in the match inside the first half and they headed to their dressing rooms leading thanks to Muscat's early strike.

The Second Half

Having seen their efforts quickly converted into the opening goal inside the first half, the Stripes came out with a very strong start to the second half, and they took just six minutes to double the score. It was Ryan Muscat again who put his name on the scoring sheet as he slotted past the Pembroke goalkeeper after dribbling a player and drifting inside the area.

Birkirkara should have made them three on the fifty-fourth minute. In a fast break-away, Jacob Magri served Gianluca Zammit who was unlucky to see his strike somehow blocked from the goalkeeper and from the rebound, Zammit's effort ended wide.

Gianluca Zammit was involved in action just three minutes later, but he was once again unlucky to see his shot ending wide. Just two minutes later, Ryan Muscat almost completed his hat-trick but his shoot was denied by the foot of the post.

Pembroke pulled one back six minutes from time with a fine shot to get back into the match. However, their hopes of getting something from the match were dashed by the referee's full-time whistle, as the Stripes stood strong to register a win.

First-Eleven Fabian Aquilina, Fabien Lufi, Nigel Bugeja, Jacob Magri, Zachary Cassar, Jordan Sciberras, Nigel Borg, Roberto Curmi, Gianluca Zammit, Ryan Muscat, Neil Micallef.

Substitutes Sergio Conti, Owen Cauchi, Justin Cardona, Matthew Calleja, Sean Bonello.

Scorers: Ryan Muscat (2).

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