Birkirkara 6
Mosta 0

Birkirkara strengthened their Premier League leadership after strolling to a convincing 6-0 win over Mosta in a one-sided match yesterday.

This was the second time in eight days that the Stripes produced six goals without reply against inferior opposition. After their 6-0 romp against Hamrun Spartans the Saturday before last, yesterday it was the turn of Mosta to feel the force of Birkirkara's attacking prowess.

Skipper Michael Galea was the catalyst of Birkirkara's sound display, scoring four goals, including a last-gasp penalty. He also played a crucial role in setting up one of the two goals scored by Etienne Barbara.

Yesterday's success saw the Stripes opening up a four-point lead over nearest rivals Sliema Wanderers at the top.

The Stripes only need one point from their remaining second round fixture against Floriana to assure themselves of starting the Championship Pool in pole position.

Birkirkara were without their regular goalkeeper Dave Simon, injured. Bernard Paris received Stephen Azzopardi's nod to guard his team's goal.

Adrian Ciantar was also forced to sit out this match due to suspension while Emil Yanchev was back in the team after missing the Spartans' rout for the same reason.

Udo Nwoko was a notable absentee from the Mosta squad. The Nigerian forward has been reportedly suspended by the club after travelling to England last week to have a trial with Championship side Derby County without Mosta's permission.

With Dyson Falzon out through suspension, midfielder Philip Camilleri was detailed by coach Charles Agius to move up in support of lone striker Ikechukwu Chibueze when the occasion permitted.

As expected, it was Birkirkara who made the early running. In the ninth minute, Michael Galea threatened with a dipping free-kick, the ball clipping the upright before finishing wide.

Two minutes later, the Stripes were not to be denied. Barbara retrieved possession in midfield before surging into the Mosta area and having the better of Matthew Farrugia with an angled shot.

Thereafter, the match lost much of its intensity and we had to wait until the 33rd minute for another goalscoring opportunity of note.

Galea sent in a dangerous cross towards the sprinting George Mallia but the Birkirkara midfielder failed to connect from close in.

Two minutes later, Mosta finally threatened the Birkirkara goal, Pio Sciriha's looping free-kick being tipped over by Paris.

Three minutes from the break, Birkirkara doubled their advantage. They won a free-kick just outside the area and Michael Galea curled the ball past Farrugia via a deflection from Matthew Bartolo.

The start of the second half was characterised by an ankle injury suffered by referee Paul Caruana which forced him to quit. Fourth official Kevin Azzopardi took over refereeing duties from Caruana as from the third minute of the second half.

The match maintained the same plot of the first half with Birkirkara holding firm control of proceedings and Mosta trying unsuccessfully to hit them on the break.

It was no surprise when the Stripes moved further ahead on 58 minutes. Barbara put Michael Galea through with an exquisite pass and the Birkirkara forward beat Farrugia for his second goal.

On the hour, Farrugia was alert to palm away William Camenzuli's thunderbolt and two minutes later, Barbara was again the provider but substitute Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was foiled by Farrugia.

Barbara came close to increase Birkirkara's lead twice in the space of two minutes. First, his header was blocked by Farrugia and then, he again raced clear of the Mosta defence but his angled shot flashed wide.

However, Barbara was on target on 71 minutes. Running to Michael Galea's long pass, Barbara anticipated Farrugia before tapping the ball into an empty net.

Michael Galea completed his hat-trick on 77 minutes with a powerful header from Camenzuli's corner.

Mosta, the bottom side in the Premier League with just eight points from 17 matches, were unlucky not to pull one back when Bartolo's excellent volley smacked the bar.

Birkirkara added a sixth goal in time added on when Sciriha was judged to have controlled the ball with his hand in the area and a penalty was awarded. Michael Galea thumped the ball home from the spot to make it a poker of goals.

Yanchev almost got goal number seven but his header from a Camenzuli corner was stopped by the bar.

Birkirkara: B. Paris-6, M.A. Bonnici-6 ('46 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6), L. Galea-6, P. Monye-6, W. Camenzuli-7, E. Barbara-7, M. Galea-8, R. Briffa-6.5 ('69 M. Calascione-6), K. Scicluna-6 ('66 R. Sammut-6), G. Mallia-7, E. Yanchev-6.5.

Mosta: M. Farrugia-4.5, P. Sciriha-5, M. Bartolo-5, I. Chibueze-4.5, M. Borg-5, D. Okonkwo-5, P. Camilleri-5 ('80 M. Grech), R. Newell-5, S. Borg-5 ('77 J. Grech), C. Attard-5, M. Spasic-4.5 ('63 I. Bilocca-4.5).

Referee: Paul Caruana/Kevin Azzopardi.

Scorers: Barbara 11, 71; Galea 42, 58, 77, 90 pen.

Yellow Card: Scicluna.

BoV Player of the Match: Michael Galea (Birkirkara).