Balzan Youths 0 Birkirkara 5

Paul Zammit's troops responded in spectacular fashion to Floriana's win against Sliema by returning to the third spot with a goal-laden performance.

The Stripes' march towards Europe thus continues as Birkirkara have collected five victories in the last seven matches.

Within the first five minutes, Jorge da Silva was handed an opportunity when Nikola Tasic lost possession as he slipped, but he still showed great composure and expertise to wrong-foot Yessous Camilleri on the right flank to steer a low shot which Tabone saved with difficulty.

The Stripes wasted no other time in striking the first blow against their neighbours when they were awarded an early penalty in the 24th minute. Rodrigo Pereira curled his free-kick into Balzan's defensive wall but they were awarded a penalty after Jamie Pace was deemed to have struck out a hand to block his effort.

The Brazilian defender took over the role from first-choice penalty-taker Mifsud Triganza to drill his shot past Tabone.

Birkirkara doubled their lead past the half hour, Tabone pushed Jorge's corner into the path of Ryan Scicluna who unleashed a low drive past the goalkeeper.

On the stroke of half-time, Zammit extended their lead again when Mifsud Triganza showed his goal scoring instincts with a composed finish after beating the offside trap to slide the ball past Tabone.

In the 56th minute, the game was as good as over as a contest when Shodiya added the fourth. Jorge was the creator for the striker with the pass that gave Nigerian player the opportunity to send a flamboyant finish beyond the hapless Tabone.

There was only one team on the pitch now as Birkirkara threatened to sweep their demoralised opponents off the park with their quick attacking forays in a one-way flow.

It barely seemed possible for matters to get worse for Balzan but the agony increased when Joseph Zerafa directed the ball upfield in the direction of the unmarked Moises Avila-Perez who drilled the ball home after 77 minutes.