Avila Perez gem stuns Youths

Birkirkara 2
Fenech 51; Avila Perez 68;
Balzan Youths 1
Bright 5;

Lightning struck twice for Birkirkara in the second half of their encounter with Balzan Youths yesterday.

A goal down after only five minutes, the Stripes showed resi-lience, scoring two goals in the space of 17 minutes to knock the stuffing out of a battling Balzan side amid a thunderstorm that intensified as the match wore on.

Undeterred by the driving rain, the Stripes took advantage of the slick pitch as they tore into Balzan after the change of ends.

Paul Fenech’s equaliser settled their nerves before Moises Avila Perez took centre-stage when scoring an extraordinary goal to hand Birkirkara a much-craved win after their unexpected 3-2 setback to Tarxien Rainbows.

Paul Zammit dropped Spanish goalkeeper Jorge Mora in favour of Serbian Aleksandar Canovic who was making his first start for Birkirkara. The other change in Zammit’s team saw Angus Buhagiar, back from suspension, replacing Andrew Decesare on the right of defence.

One of the two alterations in the Balzan formation was enforced upon coach Ivan Zammit by the suspension of Clifton Ciantar.

Jonathan Francica stepped into his boots while Yessous Camilleri, suspended for the Valletta game, was preferred to David Fenech.

Birkirkara were first to threaten after four minutes.

Gareth Sciberras laid the groundwork before passing to Terence Vella who drifted into the box but his point-blank effort was pushed away by Matthew Camilleri, the Balzan goalkeeper.

Balzan were quick to surge forward on the counter as Dylan Grima produced a great run before guiding a perfect ball to the unmarked Kris Bright who beat Canovic from the edge of the box.

Birkirkara took a while to regain composure. A sweetly-struck corner by Pedrinho spelt danger for Canovic as the ball caressed the bar before the Stripes cleared.

As was to be expected, Birkirkara seized the initiative but Balzan looked happy to absorb the pressure and operate with quick breaks.

Midway through the first half, Camilleri kept Balzan’s lead intact as he tipped away Rodrigo Pereira’s free-kick.

For all their possession, Birkirkara toiled to make inroads into Balzan’s half as Zammit encouraged his players to improve their off-the-ball movement and swap positions to open up their opponents.

Birkirkara would have scored but for Camilleri who palmed away Fenech’s dangerous effort from Zerafa’s low cross. The loose ball rolled to Avila Perez who scuffed his shot over the bar.

The Spanish striker then headed wide from Vella’s corner. On the stroke of half-time, Pedrinho’s drive was diverted into the path of Grima who fired over.

The rain turned out to be a good omen for Birkirkara who began the second half strongly, levelling matters after just six minutes.

Fenech’s run into the box eluded the Balzan defenders as the nippy midfielder turned Cilia’s cross past Camilleri.

It could have become 2-1 for Birkirkara minutes later had Avila Perez not spurned a good chance when driving straight at Camilleri.

The Spanish striker made amends for his miss though as midway into the second half he scored a stunning goal.

As Buhagiar’s cross from the right arrowed into the box, Avila Perez leapt into the air, making perfect contact with the ball as his acrobatic kick gave Camilleri no chance.

With 17 minutes left, Balzan came close to an equaliser but Bright just failed to connect with Pedrinho’s set-piece cross.

At the other end, Avila Perez’s fierce drive from the distance ended wide as Birkirkara breezed through the remaining minutes to hang on to their slender lead.

Birkirkara: A. Canovic-6, T. Cilia-6 (81 A. Decesare), G. Sciberras-6.5, D. Perisic-6, J. Zerafa-7, A. Buhagiar-6.5, R. Muscat-6.5 (90 R. Camenzuli), P. Fenech-7.5, R. Pereira-6, T. Vella-6 (73 A. Tabone), M. Avila Perez-7.

Balzan Youths: M. Camilleri-7, R. Farrugia-5 (70 L. Micallef-5), B. Guga-5.5, J. Francica-5, R. Forace-6, Y. Camilleri-6, N. Tasic-6 (79 L. Bernardes), D. Grima-6.5, Pedrinho-7, K. Bright-6, M. Ciantar-5 (41 D. Fenech-5).

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Guga; Perisic; Francica; Buhagiar.

BOV player of the match: Moises Avila Perez (Birkirkara).