Brave Stripes halt champs' run

Birkirkara 2
Marsaxlokk 1

Birkirkara's rejuvenation since the accomplishment of their top-six mission has surely added spice to the Premier League title race.

Another startling transformation occurred earlier in the season when Marsaxlokk, the defending champions, bounced back from embarrassing defeats to Valletta and Hamrun to string up a positive run of results that elevated them to the top of the table.

Thus, the third meeting between Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara shaped up as a battle between two prized fighters on the comeback trail. Their duel was well-contested but Birkirkara again displayed all the battling qualities that facilitated their resurgence when hitting two late goals to turn defeat into victory and strengthen their title push.

Davy-Amed Sylla had to forfeit his role as Birkirkara's attacking spearhead yesterday after failing to recover from injury. His place was taken by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza. Another player earning a first-team recall yesterday was George Mallia who had been plagued with a back injury.

Emil Yanchev was also drafted back into Birkirkara's first team after suspension kept him out of the 1-1 draw with Valletta. The Bulgarian defender replaced Lee Lombardi.

Marsaxlokk coach Brian Talbot confirmed the same XI who outsmarted Sliema 4-2.

Early on, a good move involving Julio Alcorse and Aleksandar Madzar saw the latter lay the ball back to Cleaven Frendo who shot over the bar.

Birkirkara would have broken the stalemate on 14 minutes but for an excellent double-save from Reuben Debono.

Joseph Zerafa caught the Marsaxlokk defence unawares with an intelligent through-pass to Mifsud Triganza who advanced before attempting a low shot that was repelled by Debono. The loose ball landed at the feet of Mallia who unleashed a rising shot but the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper reacted quickly to palm away the danger.

The Stripes made the brisker start, the unrelenting running of their midfield players stifling Marsaxlokk's disjointed efforts to get the ball to their forward line.

Alarming gaps were again conspicuous in the Marsaxlokk defence when Mifsud Triganza's pass from the left was deflected by Conceicao but only as far as Mallia who blasted over.

Marsaxlokk then claimed for a penalty when Alcorse went down in the box at the merest hint of a challenge by Ronnie Hartvig but referee Adrian Casha saw nothing wrong.

As the first half gathered pace, Marsaxlokk raised the frequency of their forays into Birkirkara's half.

Madzar fashioned a central header that was saved by Borg but two minutes from half-time, the champions hit the jackpot. Their opener owed everything to the power and dexterity of Frendo who charged into the box from the right and stunned Omar Borg with a fierce, angled drive.

Early in the second half, Shaun Bajada did well to pounce on a mishit pass from Kevin Sammut but the cross-shot from the former Marsaxlokk midfielder found no takers. In no time, Bajada was driving towards goal but his shot from the distance sailed wide of the far post.

Marsaxlokk's first raid on Birkirkara's fort in the second half almost yielded a goal on 53 minutes but Madzar sent his header wide from a cross by Frendo.

Chances were now occurring thick and fast as Mifsud Triganza got on the end of a long pass from midfield and shoved William Camenzuli off the ball in an illegitimate manner. Casha failed to spot the foul as Mifsud Triganza maintained his stride only to curl the ball wide with only Debono to beat.

It was then Marsaxlokk's turn to threaten again but Alcorse's low effort was parried by Borg.

Debono, the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper, fisted away Bajada's inswinging ball from a corner. From the ensuing action, Birkirkara shouted "penalty" when substitute Antoine Zahra appeared to have been tripped by Madzar but Casha was unmoved.

With 19 minutes to go, Birkirkara fans and players were left cursing their luck when Paul Fenech, having retrieved a clearance from the Marsaxlokk defence, let fly a firm drive which came off the crossbar.

Mallia was first to the rebound and managed to drive the ball back into the box where the surging Bajada was thrown off balance by William Camenzuli's body check. This time Casha pointed to the spot and Tabone made it 1-1 with a low shot.

The late arrival of Birkirkara's equaliser came as a blow for Marsaxlokk but six minutes from time, Peter Pullicino, who had replaced the limping Frendo, should have put the Blues back in front. The midfielder produced a strong run that took him past Hartvig but his final shot was off target.

Two minutes from time, Tabone released Martin Anastasi, a second-half substitute for Bajada, but the young midfielder lifted his shot over.

Marsaxlokk sighed with relief but not for long as a minute from time, the persistent Mifsud Triganza profited from hapless defending by Camenzuli and Conceicao to squeeze his way through before beating Debono with a low strike for Birkirkara's winner.

Birkirkara: O. Borg-6, T. Paris-5.5, P. Fenech-6.5, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6, A. Tabone-6, R. Hartvig-6, S. Bajada-6 ('79 M. Anastasi), J. Zerafa-6, G. Mallia-6, A. Ciantar-5 ('53 A. Zahra-6), E. Yanchev-6.5.

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono-6.5, C. Mamo-5, W. Camenzuli-5, R. Conceicao-6, C. Magro-5.5, J. Pace-6.5, T. Templeman-6, C. Frendo-6.5 ('63 P. Pullicino-6), K. Sammut-5, J. Alcorse-4, A. Madzar-4.

Referee: Adrian Casha.

Scorers: Frendo 43; Tabone 72 pen.; Mifsud Triganza 89.

Yellow cards: Madzar; Conceicao; Frendo; Mifsud Triganza.

BoV Player of the match: Cleaven Frendo (Marsaxlokk).