Michael Mifsud, of Sliema Wanderers, goes past Birkirkara midfielder Rowen Muscat (left). Photo: Paul Zammit CutajarMichael Mifsud, of Sliema Wanderers, goes past Birkirkara midfielder Rowen Muscat (left). Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar

Birkirkara 4
Camenzuli 4, 22; Ledesma 14; Maachi 90;
Sliema Wanderers 2
Muscat 8, Pisanu 17;

This was an entertaining game that produced countless scoring chances but also some shambolic play that as much as it underlined the attacking potential of Birkirkara and Sliema, it also reflected the two teams’ defensive failings.

Birkirkara finished on top of this roller-coaster to extend their unbeaten run to 13 matches.

The match was a tale of fluctuating fortunes not only for the two teams but also for two foreign players, namely Rafael Ledesma and his Brazilian compatriot Pedrinho.

Ledesma will surely be mentioned for scoring and then turning provider to set up Ryan Camenzuli. On the other side, things went horribly wrong for Pedrinho who irked the Birkirkara clan at the end of the match for allegedly elbowing young Kurt Zammit.

Shola Shodiya Haruna was conspicuous by his absence as Eliandro replaced the Nigerian striker in attack in the only change from the defeat of Mosta.

Ledesma was detailed to roam and interchange with Eliandro in a fluid 4-4-2 formation.

Sliema coach Stephen Azzo-pardi was without Djumo Bocar, suspended, and Andrea Scozzese, injured, as Mateus Ribeiro was preferred to Trevor Cilia. Michael Mifsud, Mateus and Pedrinho were granted freedom to interchange in attack with Andrea Pisanu pulling the strings in midfield.

The game was only four minutes old when Zach Muscat’s looping free-kick from a wide position on the right landed at the feet of Camenzuli who poke home to put his team 1-0 up.

In their next significant foray into Birkirkara’s half, Sliema levelled the scores.

Mark Scerri passed to skipper Alex Muscat who took one touch before arrowing his shot past Justin Haber.

A frenetic opening showed no signs of abating as both teams displayed a refreshingly attacking mindset.

Birkirkara regained the lead on 14 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick after Marko Potezica flattened Eliandro just outside the box. Ledesma bent his shot beyond the wall and away from Glenn Zammit’s reach. It was his 13th goal of the season.

The tit-for-tat nature of the game persisted.

Sliema made it 2-2 three minutes later. Pedrinho was hauled down by Muscat on the edge of the box and Pisanu curled his free-kick beyond the keeper’s reach.

Birkirkara were again quick to respond. Ledesma did the spadework, making headway on the flank before aiming a perfect cross towards Camenzuli who headed the ball behind Zammit.

Past the half hour mark, Paul Fenech sprinted towards goal before unleashing a fierce shot which was warded off by Zammit, in came Camenzuli who miscued the rebound.

On the other side, Mateus Ribeiro anticipated the onrushing Haber but dragged his effort just wide.

Ten minutes after the break, Edward Herrera made good progress on the wing before cutting back for Camenzuli whose grounder flashed against the side-netting.

On the hour mark, Haber produced a smart save to keep out Pedrinho’s free-kick.

Sliema’s afternoon then took a negative twist when Marko Potezica was dismissed for hauling down Ledesma who was through on goal.

At the death, Zammit went up for the corner. But the ploy worked against the Wanderers as Herrera made quick transition from defence into attack to set up Fenech on the right flank. The Birkirkara skipper delivered an inch-perfect cross for substitute Nassir Maachi to headed the ball inside an empty net.

Birkirkara
J. Haber-5, N. Vukanac-6, Eliandro-6 (66 M. Bissi-5), R. Ledesma-7.5 (89 N. Maachi), P. Fenech-7, Z. Muscat-6.5, R. Camenzuli-7 (76 K. Zammit), E. Herrera-6.5, M. Latini-5.5, R. Muscat-7, J. Zerafa-6.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-4.5, A. Muscat-7, Mateus-6, J. Mintoff-5 (78 J. Obagbemiro), M. Scerri-6.5, M. Mifsud-5 (84 A. Friggieri), A. Pisanu-6, C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, M. Potezica, Pedrinho-6.5, B. Muscat-5 (32 T. Cilia-5).

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards: Zerafa, Fenech, Scerri, R. Muscat. Red card Potezica (SW) 72.

BOV player of the match: Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara).

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