Birkirkara secure Championship Pool place

TARXIEN RAINBOWS-1, BIRKIRKARA-3

Shaun Bajada scored twice either side of half-time to inspire Birkirkara to a 3-1 victory over relegation strugglers Tarxien Rainbows in today's opening match at the National Stadium.

With this win, the Stripes have secured a place in the Championship Pool as they now have a four-point lead over Balzan Youths with both teams having one game left before the end of the end of the first phase of the league.

If Birkirkara were looking for an early boost after their 4-1 loss to Valletta, they got what they wanted by taking the lead inside the opening three minutes.

A fluid move saw Shaun Bajada supply an intelligent pass to Jorge who got behind the Tarxien defence on the left and swept the ball past goalkeeper Nicky Vella.

The early goal must have felt like a cold shower for Tarxien but, to their credit, they made a bold reaction.

On 12 minutes, Ricardo Costa pulled clear of Angus Buhagiar but his low effort from inside the box was blocked by Reuben Gauci, the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

Another fine Tarxien attack nearly produced an equaliser as Mayasi exchanged passes with Ricardo Costa but the Congo-born striker shot narrowly wide from inside the box.

At the other end, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza tried to surprise Vella with an angled grounder from outside the box but his effort rolled wide.

The speed and movement of Birkirkara forwards Shola Haruna, Jorge and Mifsud Triganza kept the Tarxien defenders on their toes.

On one occasion, Jorge raced past Tarxien left-back Carlo Mamo and passed to Mifsud Triganza but the striker failed to control the ball properly and the Rainbows defenders cleared.

On 27 minutes, Tarxien looked to have suffered another blow as they conceded a penalty after Lee Galea was deemed to have tripped Mifsud Triganza in the box.

Haruna advanced towards the penalty spot but his effort was blocked by Vella. It was a temporary reprieve for Tarxien though as five minutes from half-time, Birkirkara increased their advantage. Receiving a pass in the box, Haruna flicked the ball towards the unmarked Bajada who hit past Vella.

Daniel Mariano Bueno and Orosco Anonam came on for Karl Pulo and Adrian Carabott for Tarxien at the start of the second half but it was Birkirkara who went further ahead after three minutes. Mifsud Triganza dispossessed Galea in the area and picked out Bajada who flicked home at the far post.

The game was as good as over now. The demoralised Tarxien had to wait until the 65th minute to get a shot at goal through Ricardo Costa whose bold drive was pushed away for a corner by Gauci.

Nine minutes from time, Tarxien pulled one back, Bueno hitting past Gauci from close range after getting on the end of a low cross from Ricardo Costa.

Birkirkara midfielder Bajada was named BOV player of the match.