BIRKIRKARA-2, QORMI-0
Spanish striker Moises Avila Perez scored on his debut as Birkirkara beat Qormi 2-0 in the opening game of the 2011/12 BOV Premier League season this evening.
The game was an up-and-down affair as the two teams looked somewhat rusty but Birkirkara deserved their win as they showed the better ideas.
Less than two minutes from the start of the game had passed when Matthew Bartolo threatened to put Qormi ahead. The winger ran into the box unchallenged but his low strike was beaten by Jorge Mora, Birkirkara's Spanish goalkeeper.
Qormi created another good move thanks to Brazilian debutant Jorge who burst through from the left before passing to Bartolo. The former Sliema winger tried to cross the ball back to Jorge but his attempt was blocked by the alert Mora.
It was Birkirkara who opened the scoring after 12 minutes. Captain Rowen Muscat delivered an inviting ball into the area and Avila dashed past the hesitant Steve Wellman before shooting past Matthew Farrugia at the near post.
The Stripes would have doubled their lead but for a good save from Farrugia who pushed away Alan Tabone's well-hit shot after good work by Trevor Cilia.
Cilia's diagonal drive ended just wide on the half-hour mark as Birkirkara took control after their opener.
After a period of scrappy football, Qormi almost equalised as Jorge's free-kick flew wide of the far post.
Early in the second half, Cilia got behind the Qormi defence with a strong run from the right but he fired against the side-netting.
The battling Qormi should have levelled close to the hour mark as Bartolo advanced unimpeded after Birkirkara had failed to cut out Joseph Farrugia's pass but the winger hit wide with only Mora to beat.
Qormi improved in the second half. Farrugia shot high and wide after a fine Qormi move had opened up Birkirkara.
At the other end, Farrugia made a good intervention to tip the ball away from the advancing Cilia.
With 11 minutes left, Birkirkara had the chance to seal their win as substitute Terence Vella picked out Avila but the latter's shot was touched away by Farrugia.
Five minutes from the end, Birkirkara all but wrapped up the points as they scored a second goal. They were awarded a penalty after Christos Karamanolis pulled down the advancing Avila. Cilia, the BOV player of the match, beat Farrugia with a low shot from the penalty spot.