Falcone’s late penalty miss proves costly for Birkirkara

A missed penalty by Federico Falcone proved costly for Birkirkara yesterday as they could only draw 1-1 against a 10-man Senglea side.

The score was 1-1 when the Stripes were awarded the penalty two minutes from the end, but Senglea goalie Matthew Farrugia saved the day for his side with a good save as he thwarted Birkirkara’s top striker.

The same Falcone had given Birkirkara the lead on 31 minutes, but Senglea scored the equaliser two minutes from the end of the first half through Jose Teixeira, from a penalty.

Birkirkara remain in 7th place on 20 points, one behind sixth placed Balzan, while Senglea have joined Gudja on the 15-point mark, also overtaking Sliema who will be in action tomorrow against Valletta.

In the first half, Birkirkara had more possession, but still found it rather difficult to penetrate the well organised Senglea defence.

It took the Stripes 31 minutes to turn their superiority into a goal as their top striker Federico Falcone found the net with a good header.

But their joy only last just over 10 minutes as Senglea levelled matters in the 42nd minute through a penalty by Teixeira after Zamble was floored by goalie Hogg.

In the second half Birkirkara maintained their domination as Senglea appeared more intent on defending the result.

The match had a very quiet start and no actions worthy of note were registered till the 27th minute.

Then Birkirkara striker Falcone had a header going over the crossbar.

But a minute later, the same Falcone had better luck when from a Cain Attard corner-kick, headed past Senglea goalie Matthew Farrugia.

Senglea retaliated and in their only real attack in the first half, they were awarded a penalty on 44 minutes when Birkirkara goalie Andrew Hogg brought down Wilfried Zamble as the latter was going through. From the spotkick, Teixeira converted with a low shot to put Senglea back on level terms.

In the second half, actions were once again few and far between, but on 61 minutes, Matthew Guillaumier had a shot going over the bar.

Birkirkara had a scare on the 63rd minute when Andrew

Hogg was caught out of position, but Marcelo Dias’ effort ended just wide.

Senglea ended the game in 10 men when in the 81st minute, Dias was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Two minutes from the end,

Birkirkara missed a glorious opportunity to grab all the three points when a Senglea defender handled in the area and the official pointed to the dreaded spot. Falcone took the kick, but goalie Farrugia covered himself with glory by saving his shot, thus earning a precious point for his side.

Despite playing the last few minutes in 10 men, Senglea managed to hold on, keeping the Stripes at bay.