Stripes' slip hands title to Sliema

Pietà Hotspurs 1
Birkirkara 1

Pietà Hotspurs had the final say in the championship race as they lived up to their billing as a tough nut to crack and in so doing handed Sliema Wanderers their 25th league crown.

As the Sliema clan popped the champagne corks to celebrate back-to-back titles after Birkirkara's 1-1 draw with Pietà gave them an unassailable four-point lead at the top, the Stripes left the pitch in tatters as their excellent rally in the second half failed to net them a second goal.

The encounter was easily one of the best witnessed this season and can be described as a game of two facets with the two teams giving their all.

Pietà were outstanding in the first 45 minutes as their forward line, led by Ivan Woods, proved too much for the Stripes' rearguard to handle.

Tactical acumen in the second half by mentor Stephen Azzopardi enabled Birkirkara to regroup and lay siege on Saviour Darmanin's goal. The Pietà custodian had an outstanding afternoon and was only beaten from the penalty spot. Unfortunately for him, he had to abandon the match in added time due to injury.

Birkirkara nearly drew first blood on six minutes as Michael Galea controlled the ball, tried to free himself from his guardian and unleashed a shot which did not bother Darmanin in goal.

The Hotspurs created more anguish to the Birkirkara fans as they stormed into the lead on 18 minutes. The goal was a tribute to the great team-work of this ambitious side, marshalled by Ray Farrugia, as Woods did well to dummy and serve Alain Ekwe on the run. The Cameroon striker just beat the offside trap and powered his way into the penalty area before having the better of Haber with a cheeky weak shot that still had enough momentum to roll into the net.

At the other end, Galea was a whisker away from restoring parity as he arrowed a central shot that required Darmanin to plunge down on the Stripes' forward to foil the ball's path.

Despite the wealth of seasoned players guarding the Hotspurs' fort, Galea still managed to create enough space inside the penalty area to torment Darmanin in goal.

Midway through the first half, he latched onto Camenzuli's cross as the Pietà goalie had to rush out of his posts once again to avoid a clinical point-blank attempt at his goal.

Nine minutes from half-time, the Stripes faithful held their breath as Pietà threatened to all but extinguish their faint hopes of a last-ditch attempt at the championship. Woods' agility had the defenders struggling as the diminutive forward partially lost control of the ball only for Cleaven Frendo to nip in and test Haber with a scorching shot. The Birkirkara goalie partially saved the ball and Ekwe flashed in on the right flank and whipped a low strike that missed the target.

Azzopardi had to resort to crisis management as his side had a mountain to climb in a bid to at least delay Sliema's celebration party by another 24 hours. Haruna Doda was introduced into the fray to provide more ammunition up front. On the stroke of half-time, Chucks Nwoko stepped up for a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area. His shot seemed destined for goal before Darmanin parried the effort into a corner.

A sprightly Birkirkara took to the second half in the right frame of mind as Pietà had to endure a wave of attacks which kept them pinned inside their own half for long stretches.

Lino Galea was also introduced into the equation and the agile player was soon a key figure with his surging runs on the left flank.

Ten minutes into the second half, Darmanin had to produce his best as he just managed to palm away Nwoko's free-kick. The ball fell into the path of Galea who hesitated a second too long in trying his luck at goal and was soon swarmed with a horde of blue jerseys.

Farrugia was surely missing the composure of the injured Mauro Di Lello at such a crucial moment of the encounter.

On 70 minutes, the Stripes were awarded a penalty as Antoine Zahra was tripped inside the penalty area and Lucian Dronca converted the penalty to rekindle his side's hopes of a comeback.

Ten minutes from time, Birkirkara had a golden opportunity to seal victory. Darmanin could only partially save Zahra's powerful free-kick and the ball fell to Galea who incredibly headed wide.

A minute from time, Darmanin frustrated Zahra with another brilliant save as he fingertipped yet another free-kick over the crossbar.

As the fourth official indicated four minutes of added time, Pietà had to endure the disappointment of losing Darmanin to injury and substitute Mark Farrugia was called in the thick of the action as Birkirkara laid the final siege on goal.

Prior to the final whistle, substitute Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza could only fashion a weak shot in front of goal which was tamed by an extended Farrugia who must have endured the toughest four minutes of his goalkeeping career.

Sliema's Aquilina over the moon

An elated Sliema Wanderers' coach Edward Aquilina did not disguise his relief at having to go down for today's match against Hibernians in a relaxed state of mind after Birkirkara drew 1-1 with Pietà.

"I am delighted as Birkirkara's failure to beat Pietà has definitely taken off the pressure for the remaining two matches," he told The Times.

However, he thought that it would have been nicer for the Blues to have confirmed their triumph on the field rather than rely on the outcome of their challengers' results against other teams in advance.

Aquilina said that he was more than satisfied as the Wanderers' two titles in a row achievement meant the fourth consecutive title for him at the fourth time of asking. Aquilina won the championship with Valletta in seasons 1996/97 and 1997/98 and then after a four-year break due to health reasons, he returned on the Premier Division scene with a bang winning the coveted prize again with Sliema Wanderers in 2002/03 and now this season.

The successful Wanderers coach said that he possesses a happy bunch of players at Sliema and together with president Robert Arrigo and the backroom boys they make up a formidable team.

Aquilina did not hide his ambition to remain at the head of the Wanderers side for next season.

Pietà: S. Darmanin-8 ('90 M. Farrugia), C. Okoh-6, G. Sciberras-7, I. Woods-7, K. Fenech-6, B. Nisevic-7, E. Azzopardi-6, S. Pace-6 ('46 M. Abdilla-6), A. Ekwe-7, A. Debono-7, C. Frendo-7.

Birkirkara: J. Haber-6, M.A. Bonnici-5 ('37 H. Doda-7), P. Monye-6, W. Camenzuli-6 ('64 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6), M. Galea-6, C. Nwoko-7, A. Zahra-8, L. Dronca-6, K. Scicluna-7, R. Briffa-7, A. Ciantar-6 ('46 L. Galea-7).

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

Scorers: Ekwe 18; Dronca 70 pen.

Yellow Cards: Woods; Nisevic.

MIA Player of the Match: Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara).