VITTORIOSA STARS 1

BIRKIRKARA 4

Birkirkara encountered no trouble to overcome modest Vittoriosa Stars as they look to embark on another winning run after their slip-up to Valletta.

Prior to kick-off, there was an emotional moment as the Hibernians players did not leave the pitch to greet their former captain Mario Muscat, now with Vittoriosa Stars as the Paolites president Tony Bezzina presented a memento to Muscat as the longest-serving Hibs player.

The game was only 12 minutes old when Temile delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left to Muscat who, having eluded the Vittoriosa rearguard guided a header into the path of Mendoza. The Spaniard defender produced a driving header past Muscat to put Birkirkara ahead.

Birkirkara’s flying start left no-one in doubt as to their resolve to return to winning ways immediately after the Valletta upset.

But in the 35th minute, loose marking in the Vittoriosa box gifted Birkirkara a second goal as Sidibe Ousmane fumbled a seemingly innocuous ball, Gareth Sciberras who had followed the action, duly profited to serve Scicluna whose shot grazed the base of the far post. The loose ball rolled to Haruna who darted in and fired a rising shot in the top corner.

Birkirkara did not have to wait long to increase their lead, as shy the hour mark, Haruna cushioned a pass by Jhonnattan on his chest, left the ball bounce once and fired a looing shot over Muscat and into the net.

Three goals to the good, Birkirkara were in control but they were quickly handed a wake-up call as Marcelo Pereira got behind the Stripes defence and shot past Justin Haber the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

In the 90th minute, Temile came face to face with Muscat but concluded badly. But the Nigerian striker redeemed himself moments later. Running on to Joseph Zerafa’s floated through-pass, he beat the advancing Muscat with a cute shot.