Grand little player makes it a royal performance

Birkirkara 0
Sliema Wanderers 1

When Michael Mifsud graces our football pitches, the pyrotechnics are sure to leave their mark on his team's game. The Wanderers, who launched this 'grand little' player on the scene, are the beneficiaries.

It was this mercurial player who left a lasting mark on yesterday's game as he netted a last-gasp winner to pull Sliema further away from Birkirkara in the standings.

That second goal in as many matches since his return from his German venture with Kaiserslautern, divided the teams in a match dominated for long stretches by the champions.

Indeed, the Wanderers were in the driving seat in the first half and had the better chances in the second. Their football was fluent and forceful, the best seen from them this season. It was fitting that victory went their way.

However, Birkirkara would claim they were unlucky to concede a goal just when they fancied their chances of not only saving the game, but also of snatching a dramatic winner themselves.

That was not to be. With Mifsud around, the Blues had the trump card.

After a brief 'sizing up' exercise by both teams, during which one could have an inkling of the marking sets at both ends, Justin Haber had to stretch himself to turn to corner a fierce free-kick from Brincat.

The Blues' slightly more forceful take-off had to be repelled by the Stripes' denser marshalling inside their own half as they tried to subdue the attacking tandem of Mifsud and Doncic, supported by the fractionally deeper-lying Anonam.

In the absence of the injured George Mallia, Birkirkara were forced to fill in the midfield gaps by the insertions of Adrian Ciantar and the usual Chucks Nwoko.

The quicksilver Mifsud could have scored an exceptional goal when he rifled in a tremendous shot from 30 metres. Haber did equally well to tip to corner.

Shortly afterwards Sliema protested at the referee's failure to signal a penalty when Camenzuli instinctively put out his hand for the ball. The referee deemed the action was not deliberate.

The Blues' edge was evident as Joe Brincat, Stefan Giglio and Anonam constantly sprayed balls to their front-runners. The Stripes were limited to just holding out and perhaps snap on the counter-thrust.

Most of the Wanderers' raids were resulting from swift inter-changing of all their manjack with the yellow-reds being restricted to do little more than covering work.

At least, the Stripes were doing that with a modicum of success and as half-time approached they could re-think their enterprising options, of course, Sliema permitting.

Having weathered the storm against an infinitely more fluid Sliema outfit in the first period, Birkirkara came out with fresh psychological impetus after ends were changed.

But it was the Blues who should have scored on 51 minutes. Mifsud was put through on the left only to hit the base of the upright with a relieved Haber looking on.

Although Sliema were dictating play, the Stripes were still trying to move forward in numbers. Mifsud was winning challenges and fouls in his team's favour. The Blues' recipe was mouth-watering, but the missing ingredient was the goal.

On the hour Nwoko was replaced by Roderick Briffa for fresher roaming legs in the middle. Mifsud was again within sight of goal after a pass from Anonam. This time he stumbled over the ball.

Birkirkara did likewise at the other end through Ciantar, but Brian Said was able to block.

Gradually, the Stripes were coming into the picture and that forced the Blues to re-inforce their backdoor by pulling more men down.

As the game entered its final stages ideas became less clear. A moment of distraction at either end could be fatal and set-pieces, too, could break the deadlock.

Murphy Akanji, besides the excellent Haber, had some work to do at this stage. He once had to deal with a 'nasty' shot from Michael Galea. Possession, rather than chances created, tilted slightly the way of the yellow-reds.

But the Blues' attack looked that shade more biting, especially in the shape of man-of-the-match Mifsud.

The magic touch came from this exceptional player. He ran through to meet a superb pass from Anonam, swiftly rounded an opponent before hitting past Haber - a fitting reward for a truly great performance from this Wanderers' player.

Birkirkara: J. Haber, M.A. Bonnici, P. Monye (L. Galea), W. Camenzuli, M. Calascione, H. Doda, M. Galea, C. Nwoko (R. Briffa), L. Dronca, K. Scicluna, A. Ciantar.

Sliema: M. Akanji, J. Brincat, C. Mamo, B. Said, N. Turner, D. Doncic, M. Mifsud, J. Chetcuti, O. Anonam, S. Giglio, K. Laferla.

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

Scorer: Mifsud 90.

Yellow Cards: Camenzuli, Chetcuti.

MIA Player of the match: Michael Mifsud (Sliema Wanderers).