Msida SJ 1
Birżebbuġa SP 3

Birżebbuġa St Peter’s picked up only their third win of the season after coming from behind to see off Msida St Joseph yesterday.

Msida looked on their way to secure an important victory in their quest to beat the drop but the Reds suffered a drop in performance towards the end of the match as Birżebbuġa scored three goals without reply to push their opponents on the brink of relegation.

It was the Saints who threatened after three minutes when Helder Souza’s shot was blocked by Andrea Boatto.

Birżebbuġa responded with a shot from the distance by Keith Muscat which was turned to a corner by Rizzo.

Msida almost took the lead on 26 minutes when Muscat headed wide from a Lydon Micallef corner.

Msida finally took the lead on 32 minutes when Uchenna Anyanwu hit home from close range following a Lee James Agius cross from the left flank.

Msida kept pushing forward on the restart and Agius saw his effort hitting the bar.

On 57 Steve Schembri freed Souza but he fired just over.

Birżebbuġa were unlucky on 67 minutes when Keith Muscat’s header hit the post.

The scores were level on 78 minutes when Bonati released Anthony Ewurum who took too much time to conclude but was lucky to see his deflection off Rizzo’s clearance finishing into the net.

The goal rattled Msida who conceded again on 89 minutes when Luca Santoiemme hit a scorching drive that flew into net.

Birżebbuġa made it 3-1 in stoppage time when Boatti slotted the ball home after a fine run.

Msida: K. Rizzo, S. Schembri, S. Vella, D. Attard, K. Borg (R. Spiteri), D. Cachia (C. Saliba), I. Chircop, Z. Vukovic (N. Carvalho Pereira), L.J. Agius, H. Souza, U. Any-wanwu.

Birżebbuġa: A. Boatto (I. Cassar), L. Camilleri, D. Grech, J. Briffa, K. Muscat, L. Micallef, E. Bonati, R. Micallef (L. Santoiemme), A. Ewurum, D. Cucciardi (G. Caruana), S. Eboh.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Man of the match: Luca Santoiemme (Birżebbuġa St Peter’s).