Marsaxlokk surrender dominant position

Marsaxlokk 2
Birkirkara 2

Cruising, or so it seemed, to a straightforward victory over an erstwhile lethargic Birkirkara team, but in the end Marsaxlokk had to settle for a point after their opponents struck twice in the space of two minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw.

Having collected four points from their last two outings, Marsaxlokk dominated for long swathes and deservedly surged into a 2-0 goal lead inside the opening half hour, courtesy of a Julio Alcorse brace.

The Blues looked a smart bet to take three points as third-placed Birkirkara, still reeling from their 4-1 upset to Valletta last Monday, were wretched but a two-goal flurry pegged back Marsaxlokk and maintained their four-point lead over the same opponents in the standings.

Birkirkara's capitulation to Valletta prompted coach John Buttigieg to reshuffle his formation. Goalkeeper Omar Borg, Alan Tabone and Michael Galea were preferred to Bernard Paris, Shaun Bajada and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza while Mauro Di Lello replaced the suspended Ivalyo Sokolov in central defence.

Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi effected two changes from the team that beat Sliema 3-1 last weekend.

Peter Pullicino was back in central midfield at the expense of Trevor Templeman who was unavailable. Malcolm Licari was also reinstated to the starting line-up as Chris Camilleri was dropped to the bench.

Marsaxlokk mustered the first chance of the match, William Camenzuli shooting wide of the far post from just inside the penalty area.

The initial exchanges offered little in the way of constructive football but two minutes before the half hour, Marsaxlokk opened the scoring.

Malcom Licari's cross from the right found the Birkirkara defence in a state of confusion as the unmarked Alcorse leapt high to head the ball over Borg and into the net.

With Birkirkara showing no signs of shedding their early inertia, Marsaxlokk remained on top but they rarely came close to adding to their lead.

Birkirkara strikers Michael Galea and Kirill Dimitrov-Mihaylov hardly got a glimpse of goal in the opening half as the service from midfield was as good as nil.

Two minutes from half-time, a diagonal run by Joseph Zerafa was halted by Carlo Mamo's sliding tackle just outside the box. Birkirkara were awarded a free-kick but Tabone's shot was off target.

With Alcorse and Marcelo Pereira moving briskly in attack, Marsaxlokk retained the initiative.

Six minutes into the second half, Kevin Sammut made good progress through the middle before guiding a pass to Pereira whose rising shot ended over the bar.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, Marsaxlokk extended their lead. Their goal again came from the head of Alcorse who capitalised on the lax marking in the Birkirkara box by heading Mamo's cross past Borg.

Strangely, given the presence of so many experienced players in their line-up, Birkirkara just could not summon sufficient energy and motivation to get going.

Unimpressed by his team's disjointed display, Buttigieg made his first substitution 20 minutes into the second half, bringing on Bajada for the ineffective Tabone.

Birkirkara's reaction lacked bite but they revived their hopes by pulling one back with 16 minutes left.

Bajada's inviting corner flew across the face of goal and towards the far post where the incoming George Mallia headed home.

Barely two minutes after Mallia's goal, the Stripes made it 2-2, Zerafa finishing off a jinking run by drilling a low shot past Debono.

Marsaxlokk R. Debono-5, M. Licari-5-5 ('75 M. Barbara), C. Mamo-6, G. Sciberras-6, R. Conceicao-6, B. Said-6, K. Sammut-6, P. Pullicino-6 ('82 C. Camilleri), J. Alcorse-6.5, W. Camenzuli-5.5, M. Pereira-6 ('83 C. Cassar).

Birkirkara O. Borg-4, M. Di Lello-5.5, T. Paris-4, P. Fenech-4 ('75 J.P. Mifsud Triganza), T. Cilia-5, M. Galea-4, A. Tabone-4 ('66 S Bajada-6), R. Hartvig-5, K. Dimitrov-Mihaylov-4 ('75 K. Valkov), J. Zerafa-6.5, G. Mallia-5.5.

Referee Adrian Azzopardi.

Scorers Alcorse 28, 58(M'Xlokk) Mallia 74; Zerafa 76 (B'Kara)

Yellow cards Di Lello; Alcorse; Hartvig; Mallia.

BoV player of the match Julio Alcorse (Marsaxlokk).