Sliema Wanderers 0
Birkirkara 0

The unexpected FA Trophy exit last week added pressure on Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit who knows that the team’s only hope of silverware now rests solely with the Premier League.

However, nothing was on display yesterday to suggest that could be a viable option.

Birkirkara have won just twice in their last nine games and their showing yesterday revealed some uncomfortable truths about the Stripes who lack the killer instinct to challenge pace-setters Valletta and Hibernians.

Against Sliema, Birkirkara failed to sparkle, particularly up front, as a well-oiled Blues defence relied on their fighting qualities and tactical cohesion to stem their opponents’ flair as the game ended goalless.

The stalemate, perhaps, pleased Sliema most as they continued to edge closer to a place in the Championship Pool.

For Birkirkara, Joseph Zerafa replaced Jhonnattann, ruled out with injury, while Justin Haber made his much-awaited debut in goal.

Sliema were buoyed by the return from suspension of Luca Martinelli and Paltemio Barbetti. Coach Alfonso Greco made four changes from the team’s previous outing as Shaun Bajada earned a first-team recall and Ian Zammit was immediately thrown into the fray after joining from Valletta last week.

Birkirkara threatened first when the ball reached Shola Shodiya Haruna in the six-yard box but Clifford Gatt Baldacchino made a providential tackle to dispossess the Nigerian.

The ball was moved quickly to Zammit at the other end. Matias Muchardi timed his run to pull Haber off the line but Alejandro Mendoza came to his goalkeeper’s rescue.

Sliema’s wing-back Martinelli was then in the right place to clear Ryan Camenzuli’s inswinger off the line.

The Wanderers’ inability to penetrate their opponents’ defence was summed up by a penalty shout turned down after 16 minutes when Bajada appeared to fall under the challenge of Mendoza.

The Stripes’ aggressive start had Sliema skipper Alex Muscat hooking Haruna’s headed effort off the line again on 20 minutes.

Sliema had Bajada, Mark Scerri, Muchardi and Barbetti trying to put the midfield pieces together as a back-up for front-runners Zammit and Ivan Woods in a 4-4-2 formation.

Edward Herrera and Zerafa were detailed to push up high on the wings in a ‘V-shape’ configuration that allowed Fenech, Sciberras and Rowen Muscat to slot in the middle to support Haruna, Birkirkara’s lone striker. So, the Stripes had a thicker network in that sector.

After 34 minutes, Haruna glanced a header just off the far post from an inviting Camenzuli centre.

The modus operandi was the same a few moments later as Fenech’s cross soared towards the far side of the Sliema box but Haruna’s header was saved by Glenn Zammit.

The Blues tried to break Birkirkara’s sustained pressure with hopeful shots from the distance. A Woods effort just before half-time finished wide of Haber’s upright.

Three minutes into the second half, Birkirkara wasted an inviting opportunity to forge ahead when Herrera’s floated pass released Haruna who glided past his marker but his shot was high and wide.

Birkirkara’s frustration to carve any openings culminated in the 68th minute when, in a devastating counter-attack, Herrera slipped just before he was about to square the ball for the unmarked Haruna and Sliema cleared the danger.

Zammit’s response to this situation was to bring on Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza for Camenzuli and switch to 4-3-3 in which Herrera had the liberty to roam and create openings for his fellow forwards.

Birkirkara’s renewed urgency had Zammit stretching himself to turn to corner a Yosimar Hernandes free-kick on 70 minutes. Two minutes later, Haruna released Herrera whose angled drive flashed over the bar.

Birkirkara laid siege on Sliema’s goal in the closing stages but creating only a few clear chances. The best of them fell to Haruna six minutes from time when he received a fine pass from Fenech but Zammit stopped the Nigerian’s grounder with his feet.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6.5, A. Muscat-6.5, L. Martinelli-6 (75 J. Mintoff), P. Barbetti-6.5, M. Scerri-6, I. Zammit-5, C. Gatt Baldacchino-7, I. Woods-6 (89 A. Faccini), S. Bajada-5, M. Muchardi-7.5, S. Bianciardi-7.

Birkirkara
J. Haber-6, E. Herrera-7, R. Pereira-5, J. Zerafa-6, R. Camenzuli-6 (59 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5), S. Shodiya Haruna-6 (89 Joselito), P. Fenech-7.5, G. Sciberras-5.5, Z. Muscat-5.5, A. Mendoza-6, R. Muscat-6.5 (69 Y. Hernandez-5.5).

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Yellow cards: Fenech; Bianciardi; Scerri; Barbetti; Haruna.

BOV player of the match: Paul Fenech (Birkirkara).

Attendance: 797.

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