Saints frustrate ten-man Stripes

Msida St Joseph 2
Birkirkara 2

Birkirkara failed in their bid to regain top spot in the standings as they could only manage a point from this clash with Msida.

When Michael Galea put them ahead after 14 minutes John Buttigieg's men looked on their way to reach their target but Msida had other ideas. They produced a spirited fightback which saw them claw their way back into contention to earn a merited point in their bid to make the sixth place and a Championship Pool berth theirs.

Birkirkara had to play for the whole second half with ten men following the dismissal of Jonathan Holland. They will feel disappointed with the outcome but, at least, Buttigieg will be heartened with the battling display of his team.

Buttigieg had the same group of players which featured in the 2-1 win over Floriana as Martin Anastasi was awarded a starting berth ahead of Alan Tabone.

Msida coach Joe Abdilla kept faith with the same team that starred in the 2-0 win over Tarxien Rainbows last week. Marcos Aurelio was again missing.

Birkirkara broke the deadlock in their first attempt at goal.

Msida goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri came out to intercept a Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza delivery inside his box but failed to field the ball that fell kindly to Galea who had little difficulty in depositing into an empty net.

Two minutes later the Stripes almost struck again when Shaun Bajada's centre found Mifsud Triganza who had time and space to conclude but fired wide.

Msida were unlucky not to draw level on 20 minutes when Chris Camilleri's shot was deviated into the path of Kurt Magro whose rasping drive came off the bar.

That was the prelude of what was to follow, however, as two minutes later Msida were awarded a free-kick. Adrian Farrugia's ball caused confusion inside the Birkirkara area and Pedro Calcado was quick to fire home past Bernard Paris.

Birkirkara were stunned but soon started pushing forward again. On 31 minutes, Anastasi slid the ball towards Angus Buhagiar whose angled drive flashed wide.

But Msida grew in confidence and on the stroke of half-time, they were unlucky not to have taken the lead when Camilleri lobbed the ball over the onrushing Paris and into the net.

However, the 'goal' was ruled out as the referee had whistled for a foul on Msida's Magro much to the dismay of the Msida clan.

Holland then got his second booking and was sent off.

On the restart, Buttigieg withdrew Anastasi and sent on Paul Fenech with Joseph Zerafa deployed at centre-half and Shaun Bajada patrolling the right-back slot.

Three minutes after the restart, Msida appealed for a penalty when Da Silva looked to have been floored by Trevor Cilia but the referee saw nothing untoward and booked the Brazilian for simulation.

It was anyone's game now. Birkirkara, despite playing with ten men, still enjoyed the bulk of possession. So, it was no surprise when on 67 minutes the Stripes regained the lead.

Zerafa's throughball put Mifsud Triganza clean through and the former Msida striker headed the ball past Camilleri.

Msida came close to restoring equilibrium 15 minutes from time when Tyrone Farrugia chested the ball down for Magro whose point-blank piledriver was punched away by the alert Paris.

George Mallia then denied Msida an equaliser when he cleared off the line Kevin Mifsud's shot.

However, the Saints were not to be denied as seven minutes from time they were awarded a penalty when Ronnie Hartvig floored Adrian Farrugia in the box. From the spot-kick, Calcado fired the ball past Paris.

Msida SJ M. Camilleri-5.5, S. Grima-6, A. Spiteri-6, A. Farrugia-6.5 ('85 M. Camilleri), T. Farrugia-6, K. Mifsud-6, D. Cachia-6, K. Magro-6.5 ('90 K. Spiteri), A. Da Silva-7.5, P. Calcado-7, C. Camilleri-6.5.

Birkirkara B. Paris-6, T. Cilia-5.5, R. Hartvig-6, J. Zerafa-6, M. Anastasi-5.5 ('46 P. Fenech-6), G. Mallia-7, J. Holland, A. Buhagiar-6 ('87 L. Sciberras), J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6.5 ('77 T. Paris), M. Galea-6, S. Bajada-6.5.

Scorers Calcado 22, 83 pen. (Msida SJ); Galea 14; Mifsud Triganza 67 (Birkirkara)

Referee Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards Calcado, Grima, Bajada, Holland, Camilleri, Da Silva, Galea, Mallia.

Red card Holland (B) 44.

BoV Player of the Match George Mallia (Birkirkara).