City party as Stripes sink champs

Marsaxlokk 0
Birkirkara 2

The champagne flowed freely in the capital city last night as Valletta were crowned champions without kicking a ball as closest rivals and outgoing champions Marsaxlokk went down 2-0 to Birkirkara.

Goals from Joseph Zerafa towards the end of the first half and skipper Michael Galea on 70 minutes landed Birkirkara three useful points and extinguished any faint hopes that Marsaxlokk may have harboured of an outside chance for a second successive championship crown.

The result means that John Buttigieg's side have leapfrogged the Southerners into second place in the standings as the battle for the runners-up spot and an automatic berth in the UEFA Cup next season is hotting up.

Most of the Valletta players and officials were watching this match attentively from one of the Executive Boxes at the Millennium Stand yesterday. Michael Galea's goal in the second half was met with cheers from a small section of Valletta fans who were watching the encounter from the stands and who started celebrating their club's 19th championship title. The party should reach a climax this evening when Valletta play rivals Floriana at the National Stadium.

With three matches to spare, Paul Zammit's side can now focus on achieving the double as the Citizens are also in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, the draws of which will be made on May 12. Two honours in one season are considered a great achievement that would certainly wipe out the disappointment of the recent barren seasons which had seen Valletta struggling to bridge the gap with other leading sides.

Marsaxlokk took to this encounter gunning to win maximum spoils to bolster their chances of the runners-up spot in the league and to delay Valletta's celebration by another 24 hours before handing over the championship sceptre. But Birkirkara scored the crucial goals that ultimately made the difference and delivered the championship verdict.

The south seasiders were missing influential midfielder Peter Pullicino who was unavailable because of suspension while Trevor Templemann and Bernard Sciberras were ruled out through injury.

Birkirkara coach Buttigieg had to make do without the suspended Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and the injured Antoine Zahra.

Nine minutes into the encounter Galea lofted a dangerous low cross towards the far post which was cleared by Conceicao on the goal line and Marsaxlokk escaped unscathed.

On 32 minutes, Frendo rocked the Stripes' crossbar with a thundering free-kick from 30 metres out as the ball sailed over the heads of the Birkirkara defenders and ricocheted against the woodwork.

This was the closest that the champions managed to get to Paris's goal as at the other end Birkirkara broke the deadlock five minutes from half-time.

Zerafa's persistence on the left flank paid off as the player had the better of Conceicao before planting a low shot into the net.

The southerners reacted instantly through Madzar whose initial shot from inside the penalty area was blocked and the loose ballcleared by a wave of red and yellow shirted players.

Marsaxlokk introduced Stephen Wellman instead of Madzar as the champions sought to intensify their striking power up front.

On 53 minutes, Licari was allowed time and space on the right flank as the Marsaxlokk defender powered a sturdy shot that narrowly missed the target.

Close to the hour, Birkirkara won a corner and Bajada floated a dangerous ball inside the penalty area which was met by Yanchev's flying header that sailed inches wide.

On 70 minutes, Birkirkara added their second goal. Sylla sent a perfect ball towards the unmarked Galea who had a relatively easy task hitting a shot into the net from close range.

Inside the last ten minutes, Birkirkara defender Paris miskicked the ball and substitute Wellman was quick to win possession and rifle a shot that did not yield tangible dividends.

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono-6, M. Licari-6, R. Conceicao-6.5, C. Magro-6 (81 S. Tellus), C. Mamo-6, W. Camenzuli-6.5, J. Pace-5.5 ('76 M. Barbara), K. Sammut-6, C. Frendo-6, A. Madzar-6.5 ('46 S. Wellman-6.5), J. Alcorse-6.5.

Birkirkara: B. Paris-6.5, T. Paris-6 ('89 R. Sammut), L. Galea-6.5, R. Hartvig-6.5, E. Yanchev-7, P. Fenech-6.5, G. Mallia-6.5, J. Zerafa-7, S. Bajada-7 ('90 L. Sciberras), M. Galea-6.5, D.A. Sylla-6.5 ('84 A. Tabone).

Socrers: Zerafa 40; Galea 70

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow cards: Zerafa, Alcorse, Magro.

BoV Player of the match: Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara).