Stripes trounce Blues to go third

Sliema Wanderers 1
Cilia 25;
Birkirkara 4
Avila-Perez 14; Tabone 18, 50; Mifsud Triganza 63;

Birkirkara had yet to beat Sliema Wanderers this season, managing just a draw in the last round after Sliema had inflicted two heart-breaking defeats. But yesterday, Paul Zammit’s side tasted their first win against the Blues after crushing Danilo Doncic’s side 4-1.

Birkirkara’s win was all the more impressive considering that Zammit had to revamp his team due to injuries and suspensions. But the changes hardly affected their rhythm as the Stripes came into this match on a high after beating Hibs 2-0 despite finishing the game with nine men.

Birkirkara had no fewer than five players serving suspension, namely Rodrigo Pereira, Nikola Vukanac, Rowen Muscat, Shawn Bajada and Angus Buhagiar.

These absences forced Zammit to field a makeshift defence marshalled by the excellent Gareth Sciberras and Joseph Zerafa with Ryan Scicluna at right-back and Ryan Camenzuli on the left.

The midfield, featuring the returning Paul Fenech, Alan Tabone and young debutant Fabian Zammit, was assured behind a three-pronged attack led by Shola Shodiya Haruna, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Moises Avila-Perez.

Doncic made three changes from the 3-0 defeat to Valletta as Danail Mitev, Andrew Caligari and Nikola Bogdanovic were handed first-team roles.

Birkirkara had an early chance to go ahead when, after just 10 minutes, Camenzuli’s swerving 25-metre shot crashed against the crossbar.

The Stripes did not have to wait long to take the lead as Avila-Perez found the target four minutes later.

Anthony Curmi, the Sliema goalkeeper, saved Mifsud Triganza’s effort but the latter pounced on the rebound before squaring to Avila-Perez who tapped home for the easiest of finishes.

Four minutes later, the Spaniard turned provider as he sent Tabone through and the Birkirkara midfielder slotted home, leaving Curmi stranded.

An instant reaction was imperative for Sliema to get back into contention.

Beppe Muscat’s teasing cross from the right sailed dangerously into the Birkirkara box where Trevor Cilia turned well to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Three minutes later, the former Birkirkara winger almost equalised when his cross-cum-shot from the left flew past Reuben Gauci but cannoned off the bar.

The first half ended 2-1 in favour of Birkirkara who managed to restore their two-goal advantage five minutes after the restart.

Tabone scored an excellent goal. Surging through from the left, the Stripes midfielder nutmegged Caligari and fired a rising shot past Curmi.

Just past the hour-mark, Birkirkara moved the ball quickly up front as the young Zammit sliced open the Sliema defence with a brilliant pass for the powerful Mifsud Triganza who chipped the ball home to make it 4-1 and kill the game as a contest.

The latter stages of a generally low-key match were only memorable for the debut given to Ian Schembri.

This move only served to underline Birkirkara’s domin-ance as Zammit’s men made the most of Floriana’s 1-0 derby defeat to reclaim third place in the standings, two points ahead of the Greens with only one match remaining.

Sliema Wanderers
A. Curmi-5, R. Fenech-5, J. Mifsud-5, A. Caligari-4.5 (65 S. Bezzina-5), M. Scerri-5 (51 R. Grech), C. Gatt Baldacchino-5, T. Cilia-6 (69 C. Frendo), A. Muscat-5, N. Bogdanovic-5, B. Muscat-6, D. Mitev-5.

Birkirkara
R. Gauci-6, R. Scicluna-5.5, J. Zerafa-6, R. Camenzuli-7, F. Zammit-6.5, G. Sciberras-7, M. Avila-Perez-6.5 (66 Jorge-5), S. Shodiya Haruna-6, A. Tabone-7.5 (85 I. Schembri), P. Fenech-6.6, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6 (76 M. Camilleri).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Zammit; Bogdanovic; Avila-Perez; Mifsud; Zerafa; Camilleri.

BOV player of the match: Alan Tabone (Birkirkara).

Attendance: 444.

Standings