First win of the league for Birkirkara

put the stripes back on track.

Despite finishing the game on the losing side, Mosta coach Johann Scicluna has to be satisfied with his team’s performance as they held on a much more quoted side, and had to be a penalty to break their rear guard. This performance must be encouraging for them when they face opponents their calibre.

Scicluna made only one change from their win against Lija as Kurt Magro started again in midfield instead of Zachary Brincat. On the other hand, Paul Zammit made five changes from their defeat against Gżira. Nikola Vukanac and Mislav Andelkovic returned for Birkirkara and made their debut this season. Cain Attard, Jake Grech and Luke Montebello also started the game unlike the last one.

Birkirkara held the initiative in the early minutes but failed to produce enough danger to the post of Andreas Vella. In fact, they were only dangerous with a shot by Ryan Camenzuli after 17 minutes that finished off target.

Mosta started to balance their opponents and ended the first half with two actions that could have easily resulted in a goal. First, on the 38th minute, Leonardo Ferreira crossed from the by-line to Kurt Magro who created his own pace, but failed to score as his shot was blocked by the defence. Two minutes later, Ferreira opened up the Birkirkara defence with a brilliant back heel to David Ifeanyi who beat the offside trap, advanced but his effort was saved well by Schranz.

Birkirkara were more determined in the second half and in the first quarter they had a number of occasions. On the 49th minute the shot from central position by Mislav Andelkovic sailed over the bar, and six minutes later they hit the post. Llywelyn Cremona received a pass from Jake Grech and beat Andreas Vella with a low shot, but he was denied by the upright.

A minute later, Ernest Nfor failed to take advantage from a miss kick by Ivan Maric as he failed to conclude. Two minutes before the hour mark, Andreas Vella had to save brilliantly to deny a splendid header by Lucas Maia.

Finally, Birkirkara managed to break the deadlock on the 73rd minute as they were given a penalty for a foul by Tyrone Farrugia on Ernest Nfor. From the penalty spot, Nfor beat Andreas Vella. Paul Zammit’s team went close to the second goals on the 83rd minute after a great personal action by Kurt Zammit but after he dribbled past his opponents, his shot was saved by Vella.

But the Mosta goalkeeper couldn’t do anything two minutes later, when Matthew Guillaumier fired in the net from outside the penalty area to close the game. Jake Grech could have also scored at the end but after a great counter-attack by Edward Herrera and Ryan Camenzuli, he failed to conclude in the net.