Galea double boosts Stripes

Hibernians 1
Birkirkara 3

Birkirkara strengthened their grip on top spot after they recovered from an early scare to sweep aside the bold challenge of Hibs.

It was a hard-earned success for the in-form Stripes who faced a Hibs team hell-bent on putting their league challenge back on track after a poor start to the Championship Pool.

The Paolites were first out of the blocks and it was no surprise when Andrew Cohen put them ahead after only six minutes.

Birkirkara's response was a strong one and, inspired by the running of their attacking tandem Michael Galea and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, they drew level midway through the first half thanks to their chief goalscorer Galea.

The equaliser was a great psychological boost for the Stripes who went on to net a second goal four minutes from half-time, Galea converting a penalty.

Hibs launched a stirring fightback in the second half and were unlucky not to equalise midway through when substitute Clayton Failla hit the bar. However, it was Birkirkara who had the final say, George Mallia sealing a win that lifted them five points clear of Sliema at the top.

Birkirkara were without their match-winner against Marsaxlokk as Matthew Calascione was serving a one-match suspension. Striker Etienne Barbara, somewhat surprisingly, earned a place on the bench after making a swift recovery from the facial injury he suffered last weekend. Adrian Ciantar also missed out through injury.

Hibs were boosted by the return of Irish midfielder Dave Williamson who had been out for more than two months with a knee injury. However, coach Robert Gatt was still without the injured players Jonathan Pearson, Peter Pullicino, Ben Camilleri and Terence Scerri.

Hibs could have not hoped for a better start as they went ahead after six minutes. From a David Camilleri corner, Birkirkara goalkeeper David Simon punched the ball away despite being challenged by Haruna Doda. Cohen was first to the rebound and he fired a low shot into the net.

Birkirkara hit back strongly and on 13 minutes, Mifsud Triganza fed Michael Galea whose rasping drive was blocked by Mario Muscat.

That was the prelude to Birkirkara's equaliser which arrived six minutes later. Mifsud Triganza put a fine through-ball towards Galea who hammered a low shot past Muscat.

This goal revitalised Birkirkara and ten minutes later, Jonathan Holland sent a dangerous ball towards Mallia whose close-range header was stopped by Muscat.

Four minutes from the break, Birkirkara managed to take the lead when their Bulgarian defender Emil Yanchev was floored inside the area by Kenneth Spiteri. Referee Marco Borg ordered a penalty after consulting assistant referee Nicky Debattista.

Michael Galea took responsibility from the spot and coolly sent the ball past the diving Muscat - 2-1 for Birkirkara. Galea almost completed his hat-trick in time added on when he was first to Mallia's cross but he headed the ball wide.

Just before half-time, Mifsud Triganza stole possession just outside the area, served Michael Galea whose powerful drive was splendidly turned away for a corner by Muscat.

Seven minutes into the second half, Doda should have punished some sloppy defending from his former team-mates when Cohen gained possession with a timely tackle just outside the area before serving the Nigerian who fired over from a few metres out.

Three minutes later, Camilleri brought the best out of Simon with a curling free-kick.

Just past the hour, the Birkirkara goalkeeper produced another fine save when pushing away Roderick Baldacchino's piledriver

On 68 minutes, Michael Galea created space himself on the right before crossing the ball towards Barbara, who had come on for Mark Anthony Bonnici. The Birkirkara substitute flicked the ball towards Mifsud Triganza who lifted it over from close in.

A minute later, Holland's dipping free-kick caught the Hibs defence unawares but Mallia failed to profit, hitting the side-netting.

Fifteen minutes from time, Hibs were unlucky not to pull themselves level when from another Camilleri free-kick, Failla's close-range effort bounced off the bar with Simon beaten.

When play resumed, Birkirkara produced a swift break with Galea's pass putting Mallia clean through and the Birkirkara midfielder struck the ball past the onrushing Muscat.

From then on, it was all Birkirkara who easily administered their advantage as Hibs could not find the energy to force themselves back in contention.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-7, A. Pulis-6, A. Xuereb-5.5 ('59 C. Failla-6) , R. Mintoff-6, D. Williamson-6.5, R. Baldacchino-6, A. Cohen-6, D. Camilleri-6, E. Agius-5, K. Spiteri-5, H. Doda-5.

Birkirkara: D. Simon-6.5, M.A. Bonnici-6 ('60 E. Barbara-6), L. Galea-6, P. Monye-6, W. Camenzuli-6, M. Galea-7.5, J. Holland-6, K. Scicluna-6, J. Mifsud Triganza-7 ('77 R. Sammut), G. Mallia-6.5, E. Yanchev-6.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Scorers: Cohen 6; Galea 19, 41 pen.; Mallia 77.

Yellow Cards: Muscat; Mintoff.

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