Stripes too strong for Balzan
In front of a very large and wellbehaved crowd at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Birkirkara deservedly won the game as they were the better outfit, creating more occasions than Balzan. Referee Kurt Saliba had very good control of the game.
Birkirkara created the first action as Ayrton Attard was fouled outside the area and Balzan keeper Sean Camilleri saved the free kick by the same player. At the other end a onetwo between Brandon Mifsud and Nathan Sciberras ended with the latter’s cross-shot from the right flank being neutralised by Stripes keeper Amara Sylla.
In another action by Birkirkara, Paul Mbong received the ball from a long drop-kick by his keeper and after advancing on the right flank, Camilleri neutralised the ball from his cross.
Balzan replied through Sciberras who served Zak Grech with a high through ball in the area but Sylla saved his header.
Birkirkara forged ahead in the 21st minute when Attard entered the area after dribbling past an opponent on the right flank and Sebastian Grech scored with a rising shot following Grech’s low cross.
Hardly a minute later they doubled their lead when Attard served Mbong with a perfect through ball in the area who was tripped by Camrin Zammit: Attard made no mistake from the spot.
Birkirkara resumed with their pressing. Nicholas Farrugia released Attard in the area and Camilleri foiled him as he dived at his feet and smothered the ball.
In the 35th minute the score became 3-0 as Briam Mifsud scored with header from inside the area after an Attard flag kick.
In the last action before the break, Balzan won a corner kick on the right flank which was well-taken by Grech and Isaac Briffa headed slightly over the bar.
Balzan goalie Sylla saved a free kick by Jacques Vella Critien. In the 53rd minute Birkirkara scored a fourth goal with a hard rising shot from substitute Michele Vella after an Mbong perfect through ball.
Birkirkara kept pressing and Attard missed the upright by inches from a header.
Camilleri saved in two attempts a close-range shot by substitute Carl Caruana after a Farrugia through ball. Later, Zammit Lonardelli served Attard in the area but the ball rattled the crossbar with his hard drive.
At the end of the game, Robert Attard, Youth FA Vice President presented the Trophy to Birkirkara captain Ayrton Attard and medals to both sets of players and match officials.
Birkirkara: A.Sylla, L.Formosa, B.Calleja, B.Mifsud, N.Friggieri, G.Attard, N.Farrugia, C.Zammit Lonardelli, A.Attard, S.Grech, P.Mbong
Balzan: S.Camilleri, C.Zammit, Z.Grech, J.Vella Critien, S,Aquilina, N.Sciberras, B.Mifsud, A.Calleja, I.Briffa, S.Mizzi, L.Falzon Referee: Kurt Saliba Assistant Referees: Robert Curtis, Ryan Caruana