BIRKIRKARA-6, SLIEMA WANDERERS-0
Birkirkara stormed back to the top of the table after hammering Sliema Wanderers 6-0 this evening at the National Stadium.
Valletta's 5-0 rout of Mosta yesterday looked to have turned up the pressure on the champions but they produced an emphatic response, scoring five goals in the first half to secure victory and restore their two-point lead at the top of the standings.
With two games remaining, it is looking increasingly likely that the final-day clash between Valletta and Birkirkara will decide the title issue.
This game was over as a contest in the opening 14 minutes, the time it took Birkirkara to race into a three-goal lead.
They scored their first after just five minutes, Shola Haruna curling the ball into the net from inside the box after Ryan Camenzuli's set-piece cross sparked a goalmouth melee.
Four minutes later, Birkirkara doubled their lead. They broke on the counter as Haruna sprinted forward through the middle before passing to Jhonnattann who rifled past Glenn Zammit, the Sliema goalkeeper.
After Birkirkara goalkeeper Justin Haber had saved a shot by Trevor Cilia, Birkirkara increased their advantage on 14 minutes through Haruna who had been left unmarked in the box.
As Sliema failed to make a reaction, Birkirkara remained in firm control. They struck their fourth goal on 25 minutes, Camenzuli hitting a magnificent first-time drive that beat Zammit hands down.
Five minutes from half-time, Haruna completed his hat-trick with a routine finish from inside the box after receiving a throuhg-ball from Ryan Scicluna as Sliema's offside trap failed.
Sitting on a five-goal cushion, Birkirkara eased up at the start of the second half. Sliema continued to find it difficult to stage a reaction but on the hour, they had a good opportunity to score a consolation goal after Birkirkara midfielder Rowen Muscat was adjudged to have pushed Stanley Ohawuchi in the box. The Nigerian walked towards the spot but his penalty was beaten away ny Haber.
With 21 minutes left, Birkirkara made it 6-0, defender Matheus Bissi planting a powerful header into the net from Jhonnattann's corner.
Late in the game, Birkirkara substitute Kurt Zammit mishit his attempt from Camenzuli's cross and, in stoppage time, Frank Temile, another second-half substitute, was denied by Zammit.
Haruna was named BOV player of the match.