Birkirkara 4
Joselito 8, 52; Shodiya 65 pen.; Jhonnattan 76;
Melita 0
Melita began their new life in the top flight with a heavy loss as Birkirkara taught them a harsh lesson in their maiden match in the BOV Premier League.
The Stripes were rampant throughout the second half and, as debuts go, it is difficult to think that Brazilian duo Joselito and Jhonnattan could have done much more to please their new supporters.
Martin Gregory’s side were stunned after conceding an early goal but that blow did not set the Amateurs on the road to ruin as they held their opponents at the bay during the opening period.
But Melita’s capitulation arrived after the break with a flurry of three goals from the Stripes in 24 minutes.
Rudi Alhinho sent Shodiya Haruna crashing to the ground to end Birkirkara’s first serious venture towards the Melita penalty area in the eighth minute.
From the resultant free-kick, Joselito Santos smashed home a stunning 25-metre strike that bent away from Karl Zahra’s despairing dive.
The first half belonged to Birkirkara who had countless chances to put the result beyond their opponents’ reach.
But Paul Zammit’s side were undermined by their inability to convert the chances they created. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza looked out of sorts for the Stripes as he wasted a string of chances to put his side out of sight.
On the half hour mark, Mifsud Triganza saw Jovan Vukanic getting a touch to clear his effort off the line.
Four minutes later, the Stripes forward was unlucky to see his low angled strike cannon off the foot of the post. And his confidence seemed badly affected when he was thwarted again by a fine lunging tackle from Vukanic.
From the ensuing corner, Melita goalkeeper Zahra pulled off two great saves in quick succession first from Alejandro Mendoza’s header at close-quarters and then on a Joselito long-range effort.
Having weathered Birkirkara’s onslaughter, Martin Gregory’s side came out with much more purpose at the start of the second without however troubling Reuben Gauci, the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
But the goal that Paul Zammit’s side had long threatened finally came on 52 minutes.
Mifsud Triganza turned provider as he laid a defence-splitting pass into the path of Joselito, who rumbled into the penalty area before slotting a low shot past Zahra.
In the 65th minute, Alhinho in a bid to clear the danger hit the ball with his arm and referee Malcolm Spiteri pointed to the spot.
Shodiya stepped up to take the resulting penalty and he made no mistake to send Zahra the wrong way.
Twenty minutes from time, Mifsud Triganza ran clear of the defence again but saw his unconvincing shot beaten away by Zahra.
That was the striker’s final contribution with his replacement Jhonnattan, finding the net with virtually his first touch of the ball, skillfully rounding the goalkeeper to deposit the ball into an empty net.
Birkirkara
R. Gauci-6, A. Mendoza-6, R.Camenzuli-6, G. Sciberras-7, R. Muscat-7 (88 D. Spiteri), P. Fenech-6, R. Scicluna-6, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6 (72 Jhonnattan), Z. Muscat-6.5, Joselito-7 (80 J. Zerafa), S. Haruna-6.
Melita
K. Zahra-6 K. Vella Petroni-5 (88 D. Gravina), G. Gribbon-5 R. Alhinho-4 J. Vukanic-6.5, L. Sammut-,5 J. Galea-5, M. Valenzia-5, L. Micallef-5, N. Baldacchino Orland-5, L. Armaro Negrin-5.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Yellow card: Armaro Negrin.
Player of the Match: Joselito (Birkirkara).
Attendance: 1,367.