Birkirkara 1
Bajada 38
Tarxien Rainbows 0

It was mission accomplished for Birkirkara last night as the Stripes secured the three points they needed at the expense of Tarxien Rainbows to make sure of winning their third league title in the club's history.

Never mind scoring just one goal, Birkirkara's impassionate desire to stamp an early authority on the games almost proved their ultimate downfall against Hibernians last week. Yet, the Stripes learnt their lesson and they knew one goal could be enough if they delivered a clean sheet.

A solitary goal was all Birkirkara needed and a goal was all Tarxien let them have quite literally as they ensured Birkirkara did not earn their prize without a fight.

With Valletta breathing closely down their neck following their victory against Qormi, Paul Zammit's side still knew that they would win the Premier League title if they defeated Tarxien.

It could be argued that the anxiety inside the Birkirkara clan was coming from agonising recalls of 12 years when Valletta rallied from behind to beat Birkirkara on the final day of the season and pip the Stripes for the Premier League title.

Any aspirations the Citizens might have had that the Stripes would fail to grab the victory they needed ended on 38 minutes when the ball arrived to Shaun Bajada's feet and the Malta international hit it with a shot that was a study in concentration and technical ability, with the ball still rising as it hit the net.

After that there was a sense of inevitably about the proceedings.

Birkirkara's title is major shock for many football pundits as they upsetting the established order of Malta's footballing elite this season - over-turning the odds against Valletta and Sliema.

Yet they saw off a stirring challenge from star-studded Valletta and after taking top spot with a crucial win against the Lilywhites, they set the standards their rivals had to meet with six consecutive wins to clinch the title.

If the Stripes felt the pressure, they did not show it; pouring forward from the start. Inside the first two minutes, Trevor Cilia's long cross was met by Michael Galea who squared the ball into the box for Sylvano Comvalius but his acrobatic volley from near the penalty spot was well saved by Anthony Curmi.

In the 11th minute, Curmi produced an even better stop to save Cilia's near-post header from Bajada's cross.

Two minutes later, Bajada caught out Tarxien with a long-flighted free-kick over the defence as Nikola Vukanac raced through the box only to fire wide in front of Curmi.

The Tarxien goalkeeper was the early inspiration for his team-mates as the pressure on the Rainbows defence was maintained throughout the first half with Curmi having to make a string of smart saves to keep the leaders at bay.

On 25 minutes, Bajada drew another fine save from Curmi who launched himself upwards to keep out his free-kick out as the keeper emerged again the winner from what developed into a personal duel with the Birkirkara midfielder.

Amid the Stripes' onslaught, Tarxien managed only a single attempt on goal on in the first half, when an innocent Mark Tanti shot flew harmlessly wide.

But it seemed just a matter of time until Birkirkara made the breakthrough and their opening duly arrived on 38 minutes. Cilia tried to latch on to a long ball from Comvalius but the ball sat up invitingly for Bajada to send a perfect 25-metre volley past Curmi.

With the game all but won, there was an element of lethargy about the Stripes at the start of the second half and it appeared they were content to sit back, holding the lion's share of possession rather than being stung by the Rainbows on the counter-attack.

Yet, the skill of Denni proved a regular nuisance for the Stripes' defence. After 70 minutes, the Brazilian slipped the ball into James Shead's path but Jorge Mora anticipated the strike and kept the ball out with a fine save.

Birkirkara had one final opportunity just after the interval but Cilia shot well over the top after some good work on the right flank.

With the clock ticking down towards Birkirkara's title triumph, Denni tried to give Birkirkara one final scare but his run on the right flank was blocked in time by the Stripes rearguard.

Seconds later, referee Kevin Azzopardi sounded the final whistle to initiate Birkirkara's title celebrations that went on till late last night.

Reaction

Paul Zammit (Birkirkara coach): "We knew we needed the three points to become champions. The team's performance tonight mirrored all the good qualities we have shown this season. We scored a first-half goal and then defended diligently to protect our lead. It's not easy to play well in such a high-pressure match but we've reached our aim. I want to thank the players for their great effort, the administration for their support and the fans."

Birkirkara
J. Mora-6.5, T. Cilia-6.5 (89'T. Paris), B. Nisevic-6, N. Vukanac-6.5, P. Fenech-6.5, R. Muscat-7, S. Bajada-8 ('86 G. Mallia), A. Buhagiar-7, J, Zerafa-7, M. Galea-7, S. Comvalius-6 ('74 A. Tabone).

Tarxien
A. Curmi-7, D. Camilleri-6, G. Calabretta-6 ('71 W. Zerafa), M. Tanti-6, A. Decesare-6, Denni-6, R. Mintoff-5, R. Grech-6 ('84 C. Fenech), L. Galea-6, K. Magro-5 ('46 J. Shead-5), J. Grioli-6.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Fenech, Grech, Decesare.

BOV player of the match: Shaun Bajada (Birkirkara).