Birkirkara needed two goals in stoppage time to lower the colours of lowly Żebbuġ Rangers 3-1 at the Hibs Stadium.

The match was devoid of scoring opportunities for much of the stages with Birkirkara creating the first chance on the half hour when Rafael Ledesma switched the ball towards Nassir Maachi who evaded his marker but his curling drive finished over.

Four minutes later, Zach Muscat connected to Ledesma’s delivery but his header was pushed over by Jeffrey Farrugia, the Żebbuġ goalkeeper.
Birkirkara took the lead on 40 minutes when from a corner action, Bissi was first to Ledesma’s cross with his dipping header having the better of Farrugia.

Żebbuġ continued to struggle on the restart and Birkirkara thought they had doubled the lead on 63 minutes when Nikola Vukanac’s audacious backheel seemed to have had the better of Farrugia but the Żebbuġ goalkeeper just did enough to push the ball away.

Farrugia then produced a one-handed save to push over an effort from Edmund Agius, who had come on Ryan Scicluna.

Birkirkara’s failure to grab a second goal came back to haunt them on 79 minutes when Żebbuġ equalised.

Muchardi picked Britto inside the area and the Żebbuġ forward headed past Hamzabegovic.

Birkirkara almost won it in stoppage time when Fenech burst clear but was blocked by the onrushing Farrugia.

Żebbug failed to heed that warning and deep into injury time Camenzuli found himself in ample space in theh area and hit a rasping drive that had the better of Farrugia.

More woes followed for Żebbuġ as moments later Liliu outmuscled his marker and hit a firm drive past Farrugia to seal his team’s win.

Birkirkara striker Rafael Ledesma was voted as the BOV Player of the match.

 

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