BALZAN-1, BIRKIRKARA-3
Birkirkara came from a goal down to see off the challenge of Balzan 3-1 in their opening Championship Pool match.
With their elimination from the FA Trophy still fresh in the minds, Birkirkara looked set for another frustrating afternoon as Jose Luis Armario Negrin gave Balzan a first-half lead.
The Stripes had been off colour in the opening half but hit back strongly in the second half with Shola Shodiya Haruna paving the way for their success with a magnificent strike before Paul Fenech put them ahead with another fine goal.
With this win, Birkirkara went four points clear of Valletta before the latter's match against Sliema Wanderers in today's second match.
Birkirkara were first to threaten, After 10 minutes, Joseph Zerafa released Haruna whose strong shot was blocked by Ramon.
Five minutes later, Ramon almost made his mark at the other end as his header from Pedrinho's free-kick was pushed over the bar by Justin Haber the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
The Stripes held the initiative for much of the opening half-hour but they were largely disjointed going forward.
Balzan punished their opponents' ineptitude as, on 33 minutes, Fabio Vignaroli dispossessed Ryan Scicluna in the centre before releasing Jose Luis Armario Negrin who burst into the box before chipping the ball over Haber to give his team a 1-0 lead.
Birkirkara's response saw Brazilian forward Jhonnattann drifted infield from the left but his cross was deflected away by Manuel Bartolo, the Balzan goalkeeper.
Less than five minutes into the second half, Birkirkara levelled the score. It was a great goal by Nigerian striker Haruna as his superb drive from the distance nestled into the top corner with Bartolo beaten.
It was all Birkirkara now. They took the lead nine minutes into the second half thanks to Paul Fenech whose perfectl-hit drive had the better of Bartolo.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Kurt Magro's dipping cross for Balzan was fumbled by Haber with the ball dropping to Lydon Micallef who miscued his effort.
Midway into the second half, Haruna should have wrapped up the points for Birkirkara. The Nigerian intercepted Pedrinho's pass to Edison Bilbaro Zarate and charged forward through the middle. He took the ball past the on-rushing Bartolo but sent his shot against the side-netting.
Minutes later, Alejandro Mendoza headed inches wide from Jhonnattann's free-kick as Birkirkara remained in command.
Daniel Zerafa fired just wide after receiving from Scicluna but, 14 minutes from time, Balzan almost equalised as Negrin burst into the box in a counter-attack but his attempt was kept out by Haber.
In stoppage time, Ryan Darmanin, on as a second-half substitute for Balzan, fired over from outside the area.
Birkirkara quickly got up at the other end. Ryan Camenzuli, a late substitute for Jhonnattann, profited from more hesitant defending by Balzan as he ran past Ramon before lifting his shot past Bartolo.
Haruna was named BOV player of the match.