Herrera inspires Stripes to climb second

by Ayrton Galea - 23rd February 2015

Edward Herrera scored a gem of a goal mid-way through the first-half, to inspire Birkirkara FC to return to winning ways and climb to the second place, thanks to a 1-0 victory over Naxxar Lions FC.

In a match where both sides would not be satisfied with anything less than three points, albeit for different objectives, Birkirkara and Naxxar cancelled each other throughout the whole ninety minutes, with Herrera's goal making all the difference.

Birkirkara were boosted with the last-minute go-ahead over Joseph Zerafa's return to the Club, and the return of Rafael Ledesma who was back on the substitutes' bench.

However, their list of unavailable players remained tall. Ryan Scicluna joined goalkeeper Mirza Hamzabegovic, Eliandro Gonzaga and Ellinton Morais all ruled out injured.

The 4-1-4-1 formation featured Haber defending the posts, Mazzetti and Vukanac as central-backs, supported by side-backs Zach Muscat and Camenzuli. Rowen Muscat, Agius and Fenech were deployed in midfield, while Herrera and Maachi patrolled the wings, continually joining striker Shola Shodiya in attack when in possession.

The First Half

The match was not even five minutes old when the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Justin Haber was brought into action, when he denied Daren Falzon's low free-kick which he deflected into a corner-kick. From the resulting corner, the Stripes were able to clear the ball into safety.

On the fifteenth minute, Fenech fired over from inside the box. Two minutes later, Shodiya served Herrera who saw his diagonal strike ending over the bar.

Birkirkara had an excellent goal scoring opportunity on the twenty-first minute. Vukanac showed great vision to unzip the defence from the Birkirkara's half pitch, and Maachi had his shot from inside the box blocked by Azzopardi.

Four minutes later, Haber was quick to transfer the ball forward in the path of Shodiya who dribbled past his marker and his shot was parried by Azzopardi in two attempts.

On the twenty-seventh minute, Herrera received the ball on the right flank, and he sent a cross-shot into the box, that surprised the Naxxar goalkeeper and went into the net, to put the Stripes in the lead.

Herrera almost scored again just three minutes later, when Edmond Agius unzipped the defence with an in-swinging cross and Herrera headed just past the post from inside the box, with Azzopardi beaten.

Naxxar went close to levelling the score on the thirty-sixth minute. Gilmar had a powerful free-kick blocked by the defence, with the ball ending in Darren Falzon's path who had a fierce strike blocked by Haber.

Two minutes from half-time, Birkirkara threatened to double the lead. Zach Muscat sent a cross from the back, and Maachi headed in the side netting.

The end of the first-half found the Stripes leading thanks to Herrera's goal.

The Second Half

There was a slow start to the start of the second half. It was the Lions who once again opened as the better side, and enjoyed large swathes of possession, with Gilmar being Naxxar's most dangerous player.

In fact, it was the Brazilian play-maker that produced two threatening shot on the hour mark. First, he saw his effort ending over, and just moments later, the same player saw his fierce strike turned into a corner thanks to the great reflexes of Haber.

Coach Paul Zammit utilised the first substitution on the sixty-seventh minute, when Nassir Maachi was replaced by Joseph Zerafa. Zerafa's inclusion saw him taking his usual left-back position while Camenzuli was advanced to take Maachi's offensive role on the left wing.

In Birkirkara's second substitution on the seventy-sixth minute, Ryan Camenzuli who had a positive performance at the back, was replaced by Kurt Zammit. There were no tactical changes by Zammit's inclusion as he was included on the left wing instead of Camenzuli.

Ten minutes from time, substitute Zammit served Shodiya who kicked the ball in the net from close-rage. However Shodiya's goal was invalidated for an offside position.

In Birkirkara's third and last substitution, Matheus Bissi replaced Edward Herrera, who received a standing ovation.

There was a scare for the Stripes two minutes from time, but Doffo's effort from a direct free-kick ended over, and they held strong to climb to the second place and keep the pace with the leaders Hibernians.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Edward Herrera (86' Matheus Bissi), Nikola Vukanac, Mauricio Mazzetti, Shola Shodiya, Nassir Maachi (67' Joseph Zerafa), Paul Fenech, Zach Muscat, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli (76' Kurt Zammit), Edmond Agius.

NAXXAR: Julian Azzopardi, Andrew Scicluna, Emanuel Ibok Edet, Terrence Vella, Mattia Del Negro, Daren Falzon, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Pablo Doffo, Angus Buhagiar, Jorge Santos Silva, Albert Bruce.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi

Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Jurgen Spiteri

Additional Assistant Referees: Esther Azzopardi, Trustin Farrugia Cann

Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant

Yellow Cards: Justin Haber (Birkirkara), Mattia Del Negro (Naxxar)

Scorers: 27′ Edward Herrera.

BOV Player of the Match: Gilmar Ribeiro (Naxxar).

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