Birkirkara’s Jhonnattann is first to the ball ahead of Rodriguez Ekani. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Mosta 0
Birkirkara 4
Ronaille 12, 87; Jhonnattann 41; Bissi 78;

Birkirkara retained the initiative in this season’s Premier League title race as they scored two goals in each half to see off the feeble challenge of Mosta, yesterday.

This was a convincing display from the champions who were streets ahead of their opponents for most of the match. Playing a high-tempo attacking game, Birkirkara laid bare the limitations of the Mosta defenders who simply could not contain the constant interchanging of their opponents in attack.

In fact, Birkirkara’s first two goals came from identical situations with the speedy Edward Herrera tearing apart the Mosta defence with surging runs to set up Ronaille, first, and Jhonnattann for the simplest of goals.

Birkirkara were forced to make do without two first-team defenders as Alejandro Mendoza failed to recover from hamstring trouble while Joseph Zerafa was serving a two-match ban.

Ryan Scicluna and Ryan Camenzuli were both handed a start by coach Paul Zammit with Zach Muscat switched to the heart of defence in the absence of Nikola Vukanac who dropped to the bench. Ronaille was preferred to Frank Temile who was again among the substitutes.

Mosta gave a rare start to young goalkeeper Kurt Rizzo in the absence of Omar Borg who was suspended. Striker Bojan Kaljevic was also out with a ban with Kurt Zammit given the nod to start in midfield and Ian Zammit partnering Gian Marco Piccioni up front.

As expected, it was Birkirkara who made all the early running. After seven minutes, Camenzuli slid the ball towards Jhonnattann who did well to turn past his marker but his shot lacked power to trouble Rizzo.

Mosta came even closer three minutes later when Zammit’s throughball freed Piccioni who somehow slid the ball past Justin Haber but Matheus Bissi was on hand to clear the danger.

The Stripes regrouped after that scare. Herrera made all the spadework when he sped past Ishmael Grech before setting up Ronaille who had the easiest of tasks to tap in and put his team ahead.

Mosta tried to react but it was Birkirkara who almost doubled their lead when Shola Haruna unleashed a powerful drive from the edge of the area that was pushed away by Rizzo.

Coach Enrico Piccioni was clearly unhappy with how things were developing. So, he withdrew Antonio Carrozza and roped in Harouna Bara as he looked to add more speed to his team’s attacking moves.

Eleven minutes from the break Kurt Zammit picked Piccioni on the edge of the area but the Italian striker’s firm drive was neutralised by Haber.

Birkirkara hit back a minute later as Jhonnattann picked Ronaille inside the area but the latter saw his effort coming off the upright before the Mosta defence cleared.

But the Stripes were not to be denied as four minutes from the break they doubled their lead. Herrera was again the creator as his mazy run on the right wing saw him speed past Grech before sending a low cross towards Jhonnattann who stabbed the ball home.

Mosta refused to lie down and two minutes later Zammit fed Piccioni whose shot beat Haber but smacked against the bar.

On the restart, the Mosta coach withdrew Tyrone Farrugia and his replacement Alex Cini took up his usual position at right back while Ishmael Grech switched to central defence.

The Italian coach continued his tinkering three minutes into the second half when Grech was replaced by James Brincat. The young Mosta player was deployed on the left of midfield with Manolito Micallef moving to left-back.

On 49 minutes, Rizzo had to be alert to keep out Jhonnattann’s inswinger as Birkirkara remained in command.

Four minutes later, Gareth Sciberras fed Ronaille who turned past Mark Brincat but his grounder hit the upright.

On 59 minutes, Ronaille dispossessed Ryan Grech and advanced towards the area. The Brazilian opted to go solo rather than serve the unmarked Jhonnattann but his effort lacked precision.

Mosta finally threatened on 64 minutes when Bara released Piccioni who drilled his shot over the bar with only Haber to beat.

Birkirkara made it 3-0 on 78 minutes when, from a short corner, taken by substitute Temile, Ryan Camenzuli picked Bissi inside the area and the Brazilian defender was allowed time and space to push the ball past Rizzo.

The rout was complete three minutes from time when, in a swift break, Camenzuli sped clear on the left before threading a low cross towards the unmarked Ronaille who blasted the ball into the net.

Mosta
K. Rizzo-5, R.J. Ekani-5, T. Farrugia-5 (46 A. Cini-5), I. Grech-4 (48 J. Brincat-5), A. Carrozza-4 (31 H. Bara-4.5), R. Grech-5, M. Brincat-5, I. Zammit-5.5, M. Micallef-5, K. Zammit-4.5, G. Piccioni-5.5.

Birkirkara
J. Haber-6, Z. Muscat-6, R. Scicluna-6.5, M. Bissi-6.5, Ronaille-7, E. Herrera-7.5, G. Sciberras-6.5 (58 R. Muscat-6), P. Fenech-6.5 (80 A. Borg), S. Haruna-6, R. Camenzuli-6.5, Jhonnattann-7 (74 F. Temile).

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow card: Scicluna.

BOV player of the match: Edward Herrera (Birkirkara).