The Malta Independent on Sunday
Birkirkara come from behind to beat Hamrun and make sure of 4th place
Football - BOV Premier League
terest in the competition, well placed in mid-table with no relegation worries.
But the Spartans were in no mood for mercy and gave their rivals a big shock when they took the lead after just 14 minutes. With Floriana taking the lead against Lija, Birkirkara’s task became even more uphill as Hamrun scored a second goal five minutes from the interval.
The Stripes hit back almost immediately to get back in the match. But at the interval, it was Floriana who were temporarily occupying 4th place as Hibernians, the other club interested in that place, were figuring in a goalless draw against Balzan.
In the second half, the Stripes turned the tables in their favour scoring three goals without reply to make sure of their win.
However, they now need either to win the FA Trophy themselves or see Valletta or Balzan winning it to accede to next season’s Europa League.
The Stripes owed much to their midfield duo of Edward Herrera and Mislav Andelkovic who were involved in almost all the Birkirkara moves and the goals.
Birkirkara were the first to threaten on five minutes through an Edward Herrera rising shot which was well saved by Jake Galea.
Hamrun replied with a shot by Criaco which, however, went well over the bar.
It was Hamrun who drew first blood on 14 minutes when Criaco sent a fine through pass to Alexander Nilsson who went past a defender before firing a shot that beat Naumovski all ends up.
On the 24th minute, Birkirkara protested for a penalty when they claimed that Herrera was pulled down in the area, but Mr Apap, close to the action, waved play on.
Four minutes later, from a Rolovic cross, Herrera’s header was saved on deck by the diving Galea.
In the 40th minute, Hamrun scored a second goal. It was Marco Criaco who fired a brilliant shot from a freekick which beat Naumovski for a highly unexpected result for the Stripes.
Soon after, Birkirkara were back in the hunt as from an Herrera freekick, it was Vukanac who headed in.
The Stripes came out more determined in the second half and on the 49th minute, they equalised with a splendid goal from Edward Herrera who beat Galea with a great rising shot from outside the area.
Immediately after, at the other end, it was goalie Naumovski who turned protagonist as he turned to corner a close range shot from Nilsson.
As the Stripes insisted, it was Rolovic who turned the result in their favour, as he received a perfect cross from Acosta Ferreira to advance and place the ball past the advancing Galea to the delight of the Birkirkara fans.
The Stripes made sure of their win as they sealed their victory with a fourth goal – Rolovic’s second. He beat Galea with a low shot.