Birkirkara 2
Mifsud Triganza 13; Z. Muscat 44;
Balzan 2
Elton 18; Forace 84;

The stakes were potentially higher for Birkirkara.

Having started the day as joint-leaders with Valletta inevitably cranked up the pressure on their players ahead of their derby against Balzan as they looked to pull clear at the top of the standings.

On the other hand, Balzan’s resolute approach mirrored their ambition of trying to extend their run of seven unbeaten matches that had lifted them in a top six position.

In the end, it was Balzan who left the stadium the happier as they earned a priceless point that maintained their momentum in such a crucial phase of the campaign.

The Stripes, on their part, will surely rue the missed opportunity of piling up the pressure on their rivals Valletta who this evening can gain sole leadership with victory over Mosta.

Reuben Gauci was drafted back in the Birkirkara goal in the only change effected by Paul Zammit from the team that beat Melita 3-0.

Birkirkara’s 4-2-3-1 formation featured Jean-Pierre Mifsud Triganza as the attacking fulcrum in front of Jhonnattann, Paul Fenech and Ryan Camenzuli.

Jacob Dominico Borg earned a rare start in Balzan’s starting formation as Bjorn Bondin replaced Stefan Giglio who was serving a one-match ban.

Giglio’s absence forced Zammit to field a makeshift backline with Jamie Pace partnering Renato Conceicao in the heart of defence.

As expected Birkirkara made an energetic start.

The Stripes might have forged ahead after just 51 seconds when Ryan Camenzuli’s corner was headed goalwards by Zach Muscat but Conceicao cleared the ball away.

The modus operandi was the same four minutes later as Camenzuli’s corner soared towards the Balzan’s box and defender Muscat headed the ball towards Jhonnattann who shot over the bar.

But moments later, Balzan’s Pedrinho tested Gauci’s alertness with a stinging drive which the goalkeeper was in the right place to clear away.

But Birkirkara stirred around the 13th minute mark.

Mendy was having problems coping with the Stripes’ forays on the right, especially with the constant movement of Jhonnattann.The Brazilian outpaced his marker to cut the ball back to Mifsud Triganza who had been left in splendid isolation in the box who prodded home his 100th premier league goal.

Yet the atmosphere soon muted as Balzan levelled matters five minutes later.

Pedrinho stood out for the frequency with which he bewildered the Birkirkara reaguard.

The Brazilian looked menacing, making inroads through the defence. His grounder from the edge was repelled by Gauci but the danger was not over for Birkirkara as the rebound came to Elton who side-footed the ball into the net.

As if to show that Balzan’s equaliser had not undermined their attacking confidence, Birkirkara threatened with Jhonnattann on 26 minutes.

The Brazilian tested Fredrick Tabone with a stinging drive from outside the area which the Balzan goalkeeper fisted onto the bar.

On the brink of half-time, Birkirkara regained the lead when Jhonnattann’s out-swinging corner was met with a glancing far-post header by Zach Muscat whose effort sailed past Tabone.

As Birkirkara struggled to hit their stride after the break, Balzan gained in confidence. On one occasion, Martin Deanov dispatched a long-range shot which finished just wide.

On 57 minutes, Birkirkara almost doubled their lead when Tabone failed to hold onto Zach Muscat’s header but Mifsud Triganza fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

Ten minutes from time, Tabone made another impressive stop from Jhonnattann’s free-kick as the goalkeeper emerged the winner in what developed into a personal duel with the Brazilian.

Yet, with six minutes left, Birkirkara’s evening took a turn for the worse with Renie Forace hitting a splendid first-time volley into the far corner to the dismay of the Birkirkara fans.

Birkirkara
R. Gauci-6, N.Vukanac-6, A. Mendoza Corujo-7, Jhonnattann-7.5, R. Camenzuli-6.5 (68 E. Herrera), R. Muscat-6, J. Zerafa-6, G.Sciberras-6 (77 R. Perereira), P. Fenech-6, Z. Muscat-7, J.P.Mifsud Triganza-7 (84 R.Scicluna).

Balzan
F. Tabone-7, J.D. Borg-5 (71 J. Francica), R. Forace-7, R. Conceicao-6, J. Pace-6.5, M. Mendy-6, B. Bondin-5.5 (60 M. Licari), D. Grima-6, Pedrinho-7, M. Deanov-6 (65 C. Caruana), Elton-6.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Yellow cards: Mendy, Pedrinho, R. Muscat, Sciberras, Caruana, Pereira, Francica.

BOV player of the match: Jhonnattann

Attendance: 521.

Standings