Birkirkara 4
Miccoli 11 pen, 53; Plut 58; Liliu 89;
St Andrew’s 0

Fabrizio Miccoli provided a timely reminder of his scoring ability as the Italian striker inspired Birkirkara to a routine victory over bottom side St Andrew’s.

There was never any doubt as to which team was going to leave the National Stadium with the three points in the bag yesterday as the Stripes were clearly a cut above their weak opponents.

After Miccoli converted an 11th-minute penalty to put Birkirkara ahead, there was no way back for the Saints.

Despite enjoying the welter of possession, Birkirkara initially found it hard to increase their advantage but Miccoli eased their nerves early in the second half when he produced a moment of brilliance to all but end St Andrew’s faint hopes of a comeback.

Vito Plut and Liliu added two more goals as the Stripes secured back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

Birkirkara coach Giovanni Tedesco made two changes from the team that beat Qormi 2-1.

Ryan Camenzuli and Ryan Scicluna earned a first-team recall at the expense of Joseph Zerafa and Rowen Muscat who were included among the substitutes.

Diego Rossetto guarded the St Andrew’s goal as Kris Calleja failed to recover from an adductor injury but otherwise coach Wayne Attard retained the same players who started the 1-0 defeat to Sliema Wanderers last week.

As expected, it was Birkirkara who dominated the proceedings early on with Plut trying his luck from the distance but his effort was blocked in two attempts by Rossetto.

The Stripes broke the deadlock on 11 minutes. Cain Attard was upended in the area by Rossetto and, from the resultant penalty, Miccoli sent his fellow Italian countryman the wrong way.

Liliu almost made it 2-0 on 19 minutes when he stormed into the area but his low shot was somehow kept out by Rossetto.

From the rebound, the Brazilian striker saw his dipping header cleared off the line by Clyde Cumbo.

St Andrew’s tried to fight back but they lacked punch up front to pose any threat to the Stripes defence.

On 32 minutes, Scicluna anticipated his marker to connect with Miccoli’s delivery from a corner but his header finished just wide.

Birkirkara seemed to have lost much of their early ascendancy as they looked happy to administer their one-goal advantage.

A minute from half-time, Miccoli was unlucky not to get a second goal as he met Camenzuli’s cross but his first-time volley just missed the upright.

On the restart, the Stripes maintained the initiative.

Liliu picked out Plut but his downward header was blocked by Rossetto.

Birkirkara doubled their lead on 53 minutes.

Miccoli dispossessed Nicola Andreis before embarking on a surging run that took him past two defenders. The former Italy forward momentarily lost the ball but soon retrieved it on the edge of the area and unleashed a low drive that gave Rossetto no chance.

Four minutes later, Zach Muscat was unlucky not to score when he latched on to Miccoli’s cross but his overhead kick was somehow palmed away by Rossetto.

Birkirkara’s third arrived a minute later. From a corner action, Gareth Sciberras served Plut inside the penalty area and the Slovenian’s dipping header flew into the net.

St Andrew’s should have pulled one back on 70 minutes when Matthew Guillaumier’s cross found Michael Johnson unmarked in the area but his header finished just wide.

Six minutes from time Juan Barraso, who had earlier replaced Miccoli, was unlucky not to put his name on the scoresheet as his curling drive came off the upright.

Birkirkara did add a fourth a minute from time when Barraso put Liliu clear and the Brazilian easily dispatched the ball past Rossetto.

Birkirkara
J. Haber-6, C. Attard-6.5, R. Camenzuli-6 (65 K. Zammit-6), Z. Muscat-6.5, E. Marcelina-6.5, G. Sciberras-6.5, P. Fenech-7.5, R. Scicluna-6 (75 E. Agius), F. Miccoli-7.5 (71 J. Barraso), V. Plut-7, Liliu-7.

St Andrew’s
D. Rossetto-5, C. Cumbo-5 (85 M. Sehitaj), J. Williams-5, M. Johnson-5, N. Andreis-4, D. Camilleri-5.5, M. Guillaumier-6, L. Cosmai-5.5 (55 J. Walker-5.5), J. Farrugia-6, K. Nwoko-6, C. De Nguidjol-5.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Yellow cards: Rossetto; Scicluna.

BOV player of the match: Paul Fenech (Birkirkara).

Standings