WEST HAM UNITED-1, BIRKIRKARA-0
Birkirkara kept the Maltese flag flying high as they produced a tenacious performance against West Ham in the first leg of their Europa league second qualifying round tie this evening.
With the score still goalless with only a minute left, Birkirkara looked set for a famous result but a late goal from James Tomkins gave West Ham an unconvincing 1-0 win ahead of next week's second tie at the National Stadium.
Despite the disappointment of conceding so late at Upton Park, Birkirkara had good reason to be pleased with their resolute performance against the more-fancied West Ham.
Goalkeeper Justin Haber had a great game, producing a string of saves, while Mauricio Mazzetti and Nikola Vukanac were formidable at the back. Rowen Muscat also had a positive outing in midfield while Fabrizio Miccoli battled for every ball despite being isolated up front.
Justin Haber was back to defend Birkirkara's goal after a thigh injury kept him out of last week's 3-1 win over Ulisses FC.
Otherwise, coach Giovanni Tedesco made no changes.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic named quite a strong line-up with first-choice players like captain Kevin Nolan, Markk Noble and goalkeeper Adrian in the starting line-up.
The Hammers took the initiative from the outset but Birkirkara were well-organised.
After just two minutes, West Ham protested for a penalty after striker Modibo Maiga went down under the challenge of right-back Zach Muscat but Austrian referee Markus Hameter allowed play to continue.
The hosts produced a good chance after 11 minutes when Maiga whipped in a cross from the right and the ball landed invitingly at the feet of Morgan Amalfitano at the far post. The French winger was unchallenged but he curled his shot over the bar as Zach Muscat did well to close the angle.
West Ham would have opened the scoring on 20 minutes but for a fine Haber save. Aaron Creswell's free-kick from the right reached James Tomkins who redirected the ball towards Maiga whose firm header was tipped away for a corner by the diving Haber.
West Ham were using the width of the pitch to try and penetrate the Birkirkara defence.
A dangerous Cresswell free-kick flew wide of the far post on 25 minutes.
Birkirkara had another close shave when, from a quick counter-attack launched by Matt Jarvis, the ball was played through to Maiga whose low shot was slightly deflected by Zach Muscat and pushed on to the post by the excellent Haber.
As was to be expected, West Ham dominated possession but they struggled to break down Birkirkara's defence.
Haber was prominent again as he punched away Zarate's free-kick after the Argentine had been brought down by Joseph Zerafa. Nolan was then marginally wide after Cresswell's free-kick had triggered a melee in the Birkirkara box.
Tedesco moved to bolster his midfield buy introducing the combative Edmond Agius for Murga. Three minutes later, Kurt Zammit replaced Fenech who looked to have picked up a knock.
As he had done on many occasions in the opening half, Haber fisted away a cross-cum-shot, this time by Zarate. The Birkirkara goalkeeper then blocked Jarvis's grounder.
Birkirkara had a great chance to score 13 minutes into the second half.
The move was started by Zerafa who ran clear through the middle before flicking the ball to Rowen Muscat who passed to Miccoli.
The Italian promptly brought Liliu into the play on the right. The Brazilian cut into the box but his diagonal shot rolled past the far post.
As the game moved into the last three minutes, West Ham won a series of corners. From one of these, on the stroke of time, they scored as Zarate's left-wing cross flew over a clutch of players and Tomkins, left unmarked at the far post, cushion the ball into the net.