BALZAN-1, BIRKIRKARA-4
Birkirkara underlined their return to form with an emphatic performance as they swept past Balzan 4-1.
Their win matured in the second half as the Stripes struck three times after Balzan had levelled matters on the stroke of half-time.
It was a deserved success for Birkirkara as they were the brisker side with Balzan looking tame and weak in defence and midfield.
With this win, Birkirkara have moved one point ahead of Balzan in the table, level with Valletta on 21 points but the latter have a game in hand.
After enduring an early scare when Alfred Effiong's curling shot came off the post, Birkirkara took control.
Left-back Joseph Zerafa sped clear on the left before dragging the ball back to Gareth Sciberras who produced a first-time shot that was beaten away by Christian Cassar, the Balzan goalkeeper.
The Stripes opened the scoring on 14 minutes. Balzan midfielder Luke Sciberras gave away a free-kick wide on the right for barging into the advancing Ryan Camenzuli and Miccoli aimed a menacing set-piece cross into the box. Amid the ensuing melee, defender Zach Muscat reacted fastest to nudge the ball into the net.
Balzan were looking unsteady at the back. They had Cassar to thank as the young goalkeeper denied Vito Plut on several occasions.
Just before half-time, Balzan were back on level terms. Justin Grioli's low cross from a right-wing free-kick caused a melee in the Birkirkara box as the ball was deflected to defender Clive Brincat whose attempt was beaten away by Haber but Maxim Focsa stabbed the ball home.
Balzan were delighted to level matters just before the break but their joy was short-lived as Birkirkara went 3-1 up by the 66th minute.
Paul Fenech scored with an angled drive after Balzan had failed to deal with a prolonged Birkirkara raid. Moments later, Zach Muscat scored his second of the game after sliding in to flick Miccoli's set-piece cross at the far post.
Balzan's Grioli sent his free-kick over the bar but five minutes from time Birkirkara further increased their lead thanks to substitute Ryan Scicluna who steered the ball home from Liliu's pass.
Zach Muscat, the Birkirkara defender, was named BOV player of the match.