Birżebbuġa 2
St George’s 1
Birżebbuġa lowered the colours of St George’s to go top of the Division One standings along with Vittoriosa Stars and Pietà Hotspurs.
This was a balanced game with both sides missing several scoring opportunities. Maybe a draw would have been a fairer result but merit to the newly-promoted side whose never-say-die attitude will surely put them in good stead for the future.
It was Birzebbuga who came close after only five minutes when Kevin Borg’s solo run finished off with the striker shooting just wide. Joe Gerada’s side continued to run the show and four minutes later Mead Mifsud’s first-time effort just missed the target.
As time went by St George’s started to show their mettle and on 14 minutes Amadeo Mercieca should have put them ahead as with only Ivan Casha to beat saw his shot pushed away by the Birżebbuġa goalkeeper.
St George’s were again dangerous in the 23rd minute when Gary Inguanez took some time before firing a fierce drive that was parried away by Casha.
Three minutes later the side from Cottonera missed another scoring opportunity when Glenn Bonello couldn’t put the ball behind Casha from close range.
Five minutes from the break Birżebbuġa took the lead when Basil Onuta Emeka drove the ball home from close range.
Birżebbuġa doubled their lead on 56 minutes when Onuta Emeka beat two defenders before releasing Celeste who blasted home.
St. George’s pulled one back on 78 minutes when Dylan Zarb squeezed the ball home after Glenn Bonello’s scissors kick from an acute angle.
Birżebbuġa: I. Casha; K. Spiteri, M. Pullicino, D. Milovic, F. Schneider, G. Tanti, K. Borg, M. Sciortino (F. Peplow), M. Mifsud (A. Cutajar), B. Onuta Emeka, R. Celeste (B. Farrugia).
St. George’s: T. Galea, E. Sevasta, C. Grech (V. Bouvette), B. Reda, G. Inguanez (E. Amaira), D. Zarb, H. Schembri, A. Abela, A. Bonello (D. Zahra), G. Bonello, A. Merceica.
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
Man of the Match: Basil Onuta Emeka (Birżebbuġa).