BALZAN YOUTHS-0, BIRKIRKARA-4
Birkirkara put their Championship Pool bid back on track with a 4-0 annihilation of fellow top-six contenders Balzan Youths in today's second game at the Hibs Stadium.
With Balzan starting the game one point ahead of Birkirkara, there was high expectations that this match would develop into a keenly-contested encounter but this failed to materialise as the Stripes were in control from start to finish.
The Stripes have now moved up to fourth place on 29 points, one ahead of Sliema Wanderers and, more importantly, six clear of the seventh-placed Qormi.
Birkirkara were all over Balzan in the opening stages. Angus Buhagiar sent in a teasing cross from the right but Shaun Bajada's effort central effort was easily saved by Matthew Camilleri, the Balzan goalkeeper.
The Stripes took a deserved lead on 13 minutes. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, who was making his debut for Birkirkara, opened up the Balzan defence with a strong run on the left before serving Shola Haruna who powered the ball into the net.
Balzan had to wait until the 23rd minute to create their first chance. Martin Deanov ran into the box after trading passes with Anthony Eviparker but the Bulgarian midfielder fired over.
With seven minutes of the first half remaining, Birkirkara had a great chance to increase their lead when Jorge, pouncing on a mistake by the Balzan defenders, charged through the middle before passing to Mifsud Triganza whose weak shot was deflected away for a corner by Camilleri.
From the ensuing corner, taken by Bajada, Balzan's Eviparker miscued his clearance but Jorge hit over from a good position.
The Brazilian made up for his miss as two minutes from half-time, he nipped behind the Balzan defender on the right and crossed for Mifsud Triganza who made no mistake from routine distance.
Early in the second half, Balzan's Nikola Tasic headed over from Clifton Ciantar's cross
Ten minutes into the second period, Jorge burst into the box after Balzan had again conceded possession in midfield. Goalkeeper Camilleri touched Jorge's low shot but the ball rolled towards the far post where Mifsud Triganza supplied the finishing touch only for the 'goal' to be chalked off as the Birkirkara striker was offside.
On another occasion, Mifsud Triganza tried to chip Camilleri but the Balzan goalkeeper saved.
Twenty minutes from time, Birkirkara made the points safe. Haruna started the move with a diagonal run before serving Jorge whose low shot was fumbled by Balzan goalkeeper Camilleri.
Birkirkara continued to dominate. Jorge rounded Camilleri but his shot was cleared off the line by Ciantar.
On the stroke of time, Birkirkara increased their lead, substitute Michael Camilleri nudging the ball past Camilleri from Bajada's free-kick.
Mifsud Triganza was named BOV Premier League player of the match.