Birkirkara 2
Vella 40; Fenech 61;
Marsaxlokk 5
Effiong 31, 45, 56, 75; Kokavessis 48;

Marsaxlokk delivered further proof of their potential to challenge for a top-four finish as they dismantled champions Birkirkara 5-2 yesterday.

Alfred Effiong was the catalyst of Marsaxlokk’s victory as the Nigerian ripped the Birkirkara defence apart, scoring four goals in the process.

It was indeed a sublime performance from the southerners who closed all avenues to the Stripes forwards and launched quick counter-attacks, notably through Effiong and Dylan Kokavessis.

Victory lifted the unbeaten southerners to second on nine points, just two adrift of leaders Valletta.

Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit had to make do without midfielders Shaun Bajada and Rowen Muscat who are recovering from ankle injuries. Terence Vella and Maltese-Australian midfielder Simon Zahra replaced Muscat and Bajada.

Before kick-off, Marsaxlokk skipper Malcolm Licari received a memento from club president Robert Micallef in recognition of his 200th appearance for the Blues.

Marsaxlokk created the first chance of note after just two minutes. Effiong fed Kokavessis whose curler was blocked by Manuel Bartolo.

On 14 minutes, it was Kokavessis who set up Effiong but the Nigerian was thwarted by a timely tackle from Birkirkara defender Joseph Zerafa.

Birkirkara’s first attempt at goal arrived on 17 minutes when Vella’s deflected shot finished just over.

On 22 minutes, Nikola Vukanac was first to Angus Buhagiar’s centre but his header flew wide. The stalemate was broken on the half-hour when Trevor Templeman’s throughball reached Effiong who anticipated Bartolo and deposited the ball into an empty net.

Birkirkara had a golden opportunity to draw level on 36 minutes. Emiliano Lattes’s cross fell to Vella but the latter’s shot brought a great save from Reuben Gauci. From the rebound, Paul Fenech hit wide.

The Stripes drew level five minutes from half-time. Michael Galea’s shot was deflected goalward by Vella and the ball’s altered trajectory wrong-footed Gauci.

It looked as if the first half was going to end one-all but Marsaxlokk refused to settle for that. A minute into stoppage time, Effiong controlled Gauci’s long kick and his first shot was blocked by Harding. Effiong reclaimed possession and surged past Bartolo to fire home.

Birkirkara’s task cause was further compounded when, with three minutes of the second half gone, Marsaxlokk went 3-1 up.

Reacting first to a long cross into Birkirkara’s box, Carlo Mamo guided the ball towards Kokavessis who blasted past Bartolo.

The Stripes’ woes increased on 56 minutes when Reuben Guerreiro’s throughball was not cleared by Harding. Effiong pounced as he went past the Scottish defender before hitting past Bartolo.

The goals kept coming and on 61 minutes, the Stripes reduced the gap when Fenech beat Gauci with a fierce drive from outside the area.

On 64 minutes, Gauci had to charge out of goal to block Birkirkara substitute Karl Pulo.

Marsaxlokk ended any hopes Birkirkara might have had of salvaging the game 15 minutes from time. Guerreiro passed to Effiong who sprinted through before slotting past Bartolo to complete his poker.

The champions now looked devoid of any strength to stage a reaction and their efforts were not aided by the heavy rain that fell in the final 15 minutes of the match.

Birkirkara
M. Bartolo-4, S. Zahra-6 (70 T. Paris), R. Harding-4 (58 K. Pulo-5), N. Vukanac-5, T. Vella-6, T. Cilia-5.5, J. Zerafa-5, P. Fenech-6, A. Buhagiar-5, M. Galea-5, E. Lattes-5.

Marsaxlokk
R. Gauci-6.5, C. Mamo-6, M. Deanov-6 (64 S. Eboh-6), P. Pullicino-7, M. Licari-6.5 (78 J. Alcorse), A.Effiong-9, R. Galabov-7, T. Templeman-7.5, D. Kokavessis-7 (86 G. Caruana), R. Guerreiro-7, C. Brincat-6.5.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards: Templeman; Zahra; Harding.

BOV player of the match: Alfred Effiong (Marsaxlokk).

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