Stripes eye third win, Dingli hope for third time lucky

Birkirkara have their sights set on a third victory in four matches when they take on newly-promoted Dingli Swallows this evening at the National Stadium (kick-off 19.30).

Last weekend, the Stripes made it two wins on the trot but the manner of their narrow victory over Ħamrun Spartans did little to wave away scepticism about the team's early-season form.

A lack of leadership and occasional lapses in concentration marked another uninspiring performance by Birkirkara who had also struggled to see off the challenge of Tarxien Rainbows in their previous outing.

Spanish goalkeeper Jorge Febles Mora summed up Birkirkara's frustration when he petulantly tossed the ball at Spartans defender Roderick Fenech just seconds after the referee had blown the final whistle.

Mora has received a two-match ban that rules him out of Birkirkara's clash with Dingli today and the match against champions Hibernians later this month.

Apart from Mora's absence, Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, has no selection worries.

Dingli Swallows are still without a point after two matches but their players and coach Jesmond Zammit will have taken courage from their positive performance in the 2-1 defeat to Hibernians last weekend.

A repeat of their showing against the Paolites, who needed a late own goal to collect maximum spoils, would surely boost Dingli's chances of making it third time lucky by gaining their first point in the Premier League this evening.

The Dingli coach is hopeful that Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva will shake off the knee injury that led to his substitution 10 minutes from the end of Sunday's match.

Kevin Borg is out with a hamstring problem and Dino Cachia is rated doubtful.

Programme

National Stadium

Today: 19.30 Dingli Swallows vs Birkirkara.

Tomorrow: 16.00 Tarxien Rainbows vs Sliema Wanderers; 18.00 Valletta vs Msida.

Sunday: 16.00 Ħamrun Spartans vs Floriana; 18.00 Qormi vs Hibernians.