Birkirkara 1
Herrera 27;
Naxxar Lions 0

Only the three points mattered for Birkirkara.

The Stripes had failed to win their last three league games but found a way through yesterday, thanks to a large slice of fortune.

Edward Herrera’s fluke first-half goal earned Birkirkara their first win in four league games at the expense of the stubborn Naxxar Lions as Paul Zammit’s men dislodged Valletta from second spot in the table.

A sequence of three consecutive draws had augmented the pressure on Birkirkara and coach Zammit.

When Herrera scored for the first time this season, the Stripes decided to lock things down at the back to try and avoid conceding a late equaliser like they did in their previous three outings.

Two of the three changes in the Naxxar line-up from their 4-0 win over Żebbuġ Rangers had been enforced upon Jesmond Zerafa by the one-match ban imposed on Frank Temile and David Fenech.

Zerafa replaced the suspended duo with Terence Vella and Ibok Edet. Up front, he put his trust in Daren Falzon instead of Victor Bellia.

Birkirkara’s formation showed only one change from the 3-0 FA Trophy victory over Pietà as Herrera was preferred to Ryan Scicluna.

Less than five minutes from referee Adrian Azzopardi’s whistle had elapsed when Falzon’s free-kick forced a fine low save from Birkirkara goalkeeper Justin Haber.

The Lions saw a lot of the ball at the start of the match but were nearly hit by a counter-attack after 20 minutes with Edmond Agius flicking the ball for Nassir Maachi but the Dutch striker shot straight at Julian Azzopardi.

Naxxar eventually began to create chances that their possession warranted. Gilmar endeavoured to exploit his speed and agility.

In the 23rd minute, a powerful overlap by Gilmar unsettled Birkirkara as he was allowed to send in a cross. In trying to clear, Mauricio Mazzetti only succeeded in redirecting the ball into the path of Gilmar but the defender was alert to repel the Brazilian’s second effort.

Shy of the half-hour mark, with the forceful wind blowing behind his back, Herrera sent in a cross from the right but looked to have skewed his delivery and watched in glee as the ball sailed above the helpless Azzopardi.

In the 36th minute, Pablo Doffo’s free-kick was only partially cleared by the Birkirkara wall and Jorge’s volley was blocked by Haber.

Birkirkara sought to control the contest after the interval.

They dropped deeper as a result, seemingly inviting pressure, and there were a few scares for Zammit’s side.

Close to the hour, Haber parried away a rising shot from Gilmar.

Gilmar remained Naxxar’s most dangerous player. He skipped past Nikola Vukanac before forcing Haber to save at the near post.

Joseph Zerafa, who rejoined the Stripes earlier this month, came on for Maachi and Mattheus Bissi replaced Herrera.

An exciting finale beckoned as the Lions upped their pressure.

Gilmar volleyed wide. Another prolonged Naxxar attack saw Angus Buhagiar deliver a teasing cross into the box but Gilmar’s effort was blocked. From the rebound, Falzon fired wide as Birkirkara survived.

Birkirkara
J. Haber-7, E. Herrera-6.5 (83 M. Bissi), N. Vukanac-6, M. Mazzetti-6, S. S. Haruna-5, N. Maachi-5.5 (67 J. Zerafa-6), P. Fenech-5.5, Z. Muscat-6.5, R. Muscat-6, R. Camenzuli-5 (76 K. Zammit), E. Agius-6.

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-6, A. Scicluna-6, I. Edet-5.5, T. Vella-6, M. Del Negro-6, D. Falzon-6, Gilmar-7, P. Doffo-6, A. Buhagiar-6, Jorge-6.5, A. Bruce-5.5.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Del Negro; Vella.

BOV player of the match: Gilmar (Naxxar Lions).

Standings