Birkirkara 2
Z. Muscat 66; Mazzetti 88;
Pietà Hotspurs 1
Fortunato 85;
A slow-burning, lacklustre game sprung into life in the final stages with two quick goals.
Birkirkara had the last laugh as they battled past relegation strugglers Pietà Hotspurs but they had to fight harder than expected to glean the points which ensured they remained second going into the international break.
In a game short on creative football, Birkirkara dominated possession but lacked cohesion up front with Shola Haruna a blunt instrument and the recalled Nassir Maachi going close on a couple of occasions before fading out in the second half.
Pietà’s approach suggested that they were happy to settle for a point, not surprising really considering their plight. They came close to reaching their objective when defender Leo Fortunato cancelled out Zach Muscat’s opener with five minutes to go but Mauricio Mazzetti, another defender, secured the points for the Stripes with a late winner.
Birkirkara’s 4-1-4-1 module had Shodiya Haruna as its attacking spearhead with Maachi tucked in on the right. The returning Paul Fenech was duly restored to the starting XI at the expense of Edmond Agius.
For the Hotspurs, who were led from the touchline by Orosco Anonam in the absence of coach Noel Coleiro, Charles Newuche partnered Luke Micallef up front in a straightforward 4-4-2.
The first notable chance fell to Birkirkara. Maachi’s corner eluded goalkeeper Miguel Montfort with the ball landing at the feet of Mauricio Mazzetti at the far post. The Argentine defender directed his effort towards goal but Christian Grech was on hand to clear the danger.
On another occasion, Camenzuli dashed into the box but his cross-cum-shot failed to reach the advancing Haruna in the six-yard box.
A swift Birkirkara attack had Pietà on the backfoot as Zach Muscat strode clear on the right before teeing up Ryan Scicluna but the latter’s effort was beaten away by Montfort.
Pietà temporarily interrupted Birkirkara’s dominance when Newuche, cutting into the box from the left, laid the ball to Frances but he miscued his shot.
Another cross from the dynamic Camenzuli was cut out by Montfort who just managed to anticipate Maachi. The ball dropped to Haruna but his attempt was hooked away by Jurgen Pisani.
With Camenzuli and Maachi tearing up and down the wings, Birkirkara carried the greater threat going forward.
They were unlucky not to break the stalemate when Camenzuli’s raking cross prompted Maachi to unleash a half-volley that rolled just wide of the near post.
Maachi blazed his shot over the bar but, as the first half moved on, Birkirkara lost composure, leaving too many gaps between the lines.
This flaw probably induced the Stripes coach to haul off Rowen Muscat in favour of Kurt Zammit with Ryan Scicluna re-positioned as holding midfielder.
Four minutes into the second half, the Hotspurs broke on the counter through Luke Micallef but his angled drive was high.
Zammit did well to release Maachi inside the box but the Dutchman’s effort was deflected over the bar before referee Chris Lautier waved away Birkirkara’s penalty appeals after Scicluna’s pass appeared to come off Pisani’s arm.
The Hotspurs looked content to try to hit their opponents on the counter and they also had a penalty claim dismissed after Frances went down when tackled by Scicluna.
However, in their next foray, Birkirkara struck.
Montfort denied the Stripes when tipping away Joseph Zerafa’s piledriver but from the corner, the ball was only cleared as far as Zach Muscat whose first-time effort nestled into the far corner.
Haber did well to keep out Gabriel’s header after the Brazilian, on as a substitute, had met Frances’s corner at the far post.
As the end approached, Pietà surged forward in numbers and equalised when Luke Micallef bore down on goal through the middle before switching to Pisani whose measured cross was headed in by Fortunato.
Pietà thought they had salvaged a draw but their joy was shortlived, as two minutes from time, the Stripes restored their lead.
From a corner, taken by Agius, who had replaced Maachi, Mazzetti blasted home after his initial effort had been blocked.
Agius had the chance to apply the killer blow but his tame grounder from an ideal position was kept out by Montfort.
Birkirkara
J. Haber-6, J. Zerafa-7, N. Vukanac-6.5, S.S. Haruna-5.5, N. Maachi-6 (77 E. Agius), P. Fenech-6.5, Z. Muscat-6.5, R. Muscat-5 (46 K. Zammit-5), R. Camenzuli-6.5 (68 E. Herrera-5.5), R. Scicluna-5.5, M. Mazzetti-6.5.
Pietà Hotspurs
M. Montfort-6, K. Micallef-5.5, C. Grech-6.5, L. Fortunato-6, J. Pisani-6, R. Rodrigues-5, C. Attard-5 (68 D. Agius-5), L. Micallef-6.5, C. Newuche-5 (54 Gabriel-5), R. Costa-5 (77 K. Cesare), C. Frances-6.
Referee: Chris Lautier.
BOV player of the match: Paul Fenech (Birkirkara).