Birkirkara 1
Sliema Wanderers 1
Ivan Woods came off the bench to score an equaliser for ten-man Sliema Wanderers in a thrilling encounter at the Centenary Stadium yesterday.
The Wanderers looked destined to suffer their fourth defeat of the season as they were trailing to a Jean-Pierre Mifsud Triganza goal and had defender Sharlon Pace sent off midway through the second half.
However, the Blues dug deep into their resources and managed to earn a point with a fine strike from Woods. The Sliema substitute could have left a more significant impact nine minutes from time but his penalty was saved by Birkirkara goalkeeper Omar Borg.
Given the circumstances, Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi, who was facing his former club for the first time, will be pleased to have at least picked up a point that lifted the Blues to second place in the standings alongside Floriana and just one point behind leaders Valletta.
On the other hand, Birkirkara will be disappointed to have failed to take all three points as they had enough chances late on to hit the winner. Their forwards, however, came up short to leave the team in fifth place on 19 points.
Azzopardi was again forced to make do without flank players Alex Muscat and Ian Ciantar who are still recovering from injuries. Roderick Bajada also sat out as he was serving a one-match ban with his place awarded to the returning Nesko Milovanovic.
Birkirkara had Adrian Ciantar still recovering from an ankle injury sustained during training last week. Paul Fenech was out with a one-match ban. Skipper Michael Galea was again left among the substitutes as Mifsud Triganza and Alan Tabone spearheaded the Stripes forward line.
Birkirkara were off on the offensive and after four minutes they were awarded a free-kick. Sean Bajada's shot was neutralised by goalkeeper Murphy Akanji.
On 13 minutes, Jeffrey Chetcuti's cross was headed just past the upright by Orosco Anonam. Four minutes later Sliema were forced to make their first substitution when midfielder Milovanovic suffered an injury. The Serb was replaced by Matthew Bartolo.
On 19 minutes, Birkirkara were dangerous when from a Tabone free-kick, Mifsud Triganza was first on the ball but his flick whizzed past the post. Two minutes later, Akanji was forced to dive into the feet of Mifsud Triganza after the Birkirkara forward was put through by Bajada.
The game remained evenly poised with Sliema seemingly holding a slight edge over their opponents who were relying mostly on the pace of Tabone and Mifsud Triganza.
Nine minutes from the break, Anonam forced Borg into his first save of the afternoon as the Birkirkara keeper dived to his right to stop the Sliema forward's shot.
Birkirkara struck the opener a minute from the break. Bajada was again the provider when his clever pass put Mifsud Triganza clean through and the Stripes forward slid the ball past Akanji.
As expected, Sliema looked to get back into the match. On 47 minutes Roderick Briffa's shot from the distance sailed over. Briffa was again close on 53 minutes. His free-kick was pushed away to a corner by an alert Borg. Five minutes later the Birkirkara goalkeeper was again well-placed to keep out Anonam's volley.
Sliema were seeing more of the ball but for all their possession they were unable to apply significant pressure on Birkirkara. Azzopardi replaced the ineffective Alexandar Madzar with Woods on 65 minutes.
Sliema's hopes were jolted three minutes later when Mifsud Triganza was upended by Sharlon Pace, the last man in Sliema's rearguard. The referee had no other option but to dismiss the Sliema player. From the free-kick, Tabone was unlucky to see his effort hit the bar.
Sliema regrouped and on 72 minutes Woods tried his luck from outside the box but his shot flew over. Then, Bartolo almost profited from a melee in the Stripes box but shot wide when pressed by two defenders.
Birkirkara looked dangerous on the counter. On one occasion, Mifsud Triganza delivered a perfect pass to Bajada whose shot was somehow kept out by Akanji.
But Sliema fought on and managed to restore equilibrium 13 minutes from time. Woods had the better of Emil Yantchev before unleashing a powerful drive that left Borg helpless.
Things were looking rosy for the Wanderers despite playing with a man less and nine minutes from time they had the opportunity to take the lead when Barbara was tripped in the box by Lino Galea and a penalty was given.
Woods stepped up for the spot-kick but his shot was saved by Borg.
Tabone should have won it for Birkirkara three minutes from time but shot wide with only Akanji to beat after a swift break.
John Buttigieg's men had another golden opportunity in stoppage time. From a Tabone free-kick, Mifsud Triganza's shot was saved by Akanji and from the rebound Yantchev fired over in front of a gaping goal.
Birkirkara: O. Borg-7, A. Galea-6, R. Sammut-6, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-7, A. Tabone-6.5, M. Anastasi-6, R. Hartvig-6, S. Bajada-6.5, J. Zerafa-6, G. Mallia-6, E. Yantchev-6.
Sliema: M. Akanji-7, B. Said-6, I. Ciantar-6, S. Pace-, J. Chetcuti-6, E. Barbara-6.5, A. Madzar-5 ('65 I. Woods-6.5), O. Anonam-6.5, N. Turner-6 ('88 M. Scerri), R. Briffa-6, M. Milovanovic- ('17 M. Bartolo-6).
Referee: Marco Borg.
Scorers: Mifsud Triganza 44; Woods 77.
Yellow cards: Borg, Tabone, Said.
Red card: Pace (S) 67.
Missed penalty: Woods (S) 81.
Player of the Match: Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara).
Premier League matches for Thursday
The two Premier League matches which were scheduled for the Hibs Ground yesterday but postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, will now be played next Thursday at the Centenary Stadium.
Mqabba-Hibs starts at 6 p.m. This match will be followed by Valletta-Msida SJ at 8 p.m.