BIRKIRKARA 3 ST ANDREWS 1

Birkirkara earned another routine victory, the fourth in a row without much effort. They met little resistance from a disappointing St Andrews who allowed the Stripes to dominate the game and only tested Miroslav Kopric in the final quarter of the match.

Birkirkara’s pressing and ability to get the ball to their wide players unsettled the Saints. On one occasion, Temile sidestepped his marker before putting in a fine pass to Plut but his shot was well-saved by Jake Galea, the St. Andrews’ goalkeeper after 26 minutes.

That was the prelude of what was to come as moments later, Zammit was the first to a loose ball after a clearance by Bong Won Che was charged down. He advanced through the middle channel as he unleashed a rising shot which took a deflection by Nkene before landing behind Galea.

Birkirkara kept the upperhand after the break but the Saints could only bank on the speed and agility of Salomon Wisdom who tried to provide them with punch up front but he was restricted to half-chances.

But the baton was still in Birkirkara’s hands. Chrisitan Bubalovic, four minutes after the break, hit the jackpot with a swerving shot as he side-stepped a defender before hitting in via Galea’s hands.

The Saints’ reaction was limited to a number of free-kicks and long balls. Past the hour mark, Jonatan Perez Cuestra dragged in a dangerous ball wide from a free-kick.

Thirteen minutes from time, St. Andrews’ reduced the deficit after one slick passing move, Wisdom played a one-two with Victor Oseghale to beat Misoslav Kopric with a shot to his left.

At the other end, Birkirkara were still active as Plut tested Galea with a good shot which the Saints guardian did well to parry.

They kept pegging and looking to restore their two-goal cushion to put their minds at rest. Nine minutes from time, they won a free-kick just outside the D. Mauricio Mazetti smacked a shot beyond Galea but the ball ricocheted off the post and Plut darted in to hit ball in from the goal-line.