Birkirkara, Sliema share four goals

A gripping game between Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers ended in a 2-2 draw that left both sides disappointed. The Stripes, who were coming from a goalless draw with Tarxien, lost more ground to leaders Valletta while Sliema failed to end their winning drought.

Mark Scerri salvaged a point for Sliema, who also drew their last game against Hibs, after Alan Tabone’s brace, his opener from the penalty spot followed by a sublime lob, cancelled out Obinna Obiefule’s powerful strike.

Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit made two personnel changes and one positional switch from the side that started the goalless draw with Tarxien a week before as the fit-again Trevor Cilia returned to the starting line-up and Tabone replaced Karl Pulo.

Zammit went for 4-4-2 with a diamond formation in midfield and Michael Galea and Cilia in attack.

Obiefule was available again to provide the one change to Sliema’s starting line-up in place of James Paris.

Mark Marlow’s 4-3-3 approach was designed to improve Sliema’s attacking prowess with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and John Mintoff playing either side of Obiefule.

The Nigerian striker and Mifsud Triganza combined to open up Birkirkara’s defence after 10 minutes but goalkeeper Michael Fraser deflected the Sliema striker’s effort away for a corner.

There was no reprieve for the Scotsman 12 minutes later when Obiefule pounced on a weak clearance by the Birkirkara rearguard to fire Sliema ahead with an unstoppable shot.

Birkirkara hit back immediately, levelling three minutes later, albeit in controversial circumstances. Tabone found himself in a shooting position but Clifford Gatt Baldacchino threw himself in the way of the shot.

Referee Glenn Tonna deemed the Sliema defender’s challenge illegitimate as Gatt Baldacchino’s raised foot made contact with the steaming Tabone. The Wanderers were angered by Tonna’s decision but Birkirkara’s Tabone kept his cool to convert the spot-kick.

In a spell of sustained pressure from the Stripes, Etim Aktpan saved well from Galea who headed Emiliano Lattes’s cross after 39 minutes.

Birkirkara sensed Sliema’s lurking disappointment and duly punished them three minutes later with a flash of genius from Tabone. The midfielder found himself in space but still required plenty of skill to produce a wonderful lob over Aktpan that drew gasps from the Stripes crowd.

Sliema president Steve Abela, still livid over the controversial penalty decision, made his feelings known to the referee at the end of the first half and was ordered off the bench.

But, the Blues began the second half with a new sense of urgency and purpose. Their positive attitude was rewarded with an equaliser inside five minutes when Scerri poked home as the midfielder went at full stretch to meet Obiefule’s left-wing cross.

Then, Miguel Ciantar, who had replaced Mifsud Triganza, came closest to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes from time. The nippy winger eluded his marker and fired a strong shot only to be denied by a superb block from Fraser.

A minute from time, Birkirkara’s Paul Fenech brushed the side-netting with a powerful rising shot. It was one of the few promising second-half moments for Birkirkara.

A few moments later, Sliema’s Jackson Lima had an effort superbly blocked by Fraser. This was a rare moment of incisiveness from Sliema who missed a number of opportunities but their bold display was perhaps sufficient to reignite the belief of both supporters and players.

Birkirkara
M. Fraser-6, P. Fenech-8, P. Borg-6, J. Zerafa-5 (78 S. Zahra), S. Bajada-5, A. Tabone-7 (85 T. Vella), R. Harding-5.5, T. Cilia-5.5 (57 K Pulo-5), E. Lattes-5.5, M. Galea-5, A. Buhagiar-5.

Sliema Wanderers
I. Etim Aktpan-5, J. Briffa-5.5, J. Mifsud-5, S. Souare-5, M. Scerri-6.5, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5 (74 M. Ciantar), S. Bezzina-5, C. Gatt Baldacchino-5, Jackson Lima-5.5, J. Mintoff-6 (88 J. Paris), O. Obiefule-7.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Yellow cards: Briffa; Gatt Baldacchino; Buhagiar; Pulo.

BOV player of the match: Obinna Obiefule (Sliema).

Attendance: 1,879.