SLIEMA WANDERERS-1
BIRKIRKARA-4
Reigning champions Birkirkara showed character as they recovered from an early goal and the loss of goalkeeper Ezequiel Lovizon to injury to trounce Sliema Wanderers 4-1 in an action-packed match at the National Stadium.
Birkirkara's resources for this match were severely depleted by the suspension of no fewer than five players, namely Shaun Bajada, Paul Fenech, Nikola Vukanac, Patrick Borg and Karl Pulo. Midfielder Alan Tabone is sidelined with a fractured arm.
Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, gave a debut to Scottish defender Ryan Harding, Maltese-Australian midfielder Simon Zahra and Malta U-21 forward Terence Vella.
Sliema Wanderers had six foreign players in their squad with Brazilian striker Jackson Lima, their latest signing, awarded a starting role along with Hungarian goalkeeper Viktor Szentpeteri, Ivory Coast defender Sekou Tidiane Souare and Nigerian forward Obinna Obiefule.
The Blues went close early on when Clayton Failla hit a strong shot that Birkirkara goalkeeper Ezequiel Lovizon pushed away for a corner. From the ensuing corner, Failla's cross was met by Josef Mifsud whose header was cleared off the line by Trevor Cilia.
Birkirkara's troubles increased on seven minutes when Lovizon was stretchered off after suffering a hand injury. Manuel Bartolo replaced the Brazilian-born goalkeeper. Four minutes after his introduction, Bartolo was beaten by Lima's diagonal scorcher after the Brazilian had received from Obiefule.
Sliema who came close to a second goal on 18 minutes through Miguel Ciantar who was denied by Bartolo.
On 20 minutes, Birkirkara received a tonic in the shape of a penalty after Sekou Tidiane Souare stuck out a hand to block Cilia's cross. Michael Galea made no mistake from the spot.
Boosted by their equaliser, Birkirkara piled the pressure on Sliema. Cilia was denied by a good Szentpeteri save but nine from half-time, the champions moved ahead. Emiliano Lattes's s free-kick was touched away by the Sliema goalkeeper but Galea was in the right spot to tap the ball home from the rebound. Lattes went close again with another swerving free-kick whereas Sliema had a Lima pilediver finishing over the bar. On the stroke of half-time, Birkirkara stunned Sliema by scoring a third goal.
Vella had the simple job of flicking the ball into an empty net after Szentpeteri had failed to cut out Lattes's cross from the left. The non-stop action continued in the opening stages of the second half. Szentpeteri pushed Cilia's cross-shot over the bar and, at the other end, Obiefule's close-range header was cleared off the line by the industrious Birkirkara winger.
Birkirkara almost made it 4-1 when Galea sent Lattes clear but the Argentine hit wide. As the second half wore on, Sliema began to show themselves more often in Birkirkara's half but the champions refused to wilt.
The Stripes continued to pose danger to Sliema every time they attacked.
Lattes passed to Vella whose first-time strike was blocked by Szentpeteri. Vella then sent his shot wide after receiving from Cilia while, at the other end, Obiefule raced into the box before driving a low pass across the far of goal but Sliema substitute James Paris just failed to connect with the Nigerian's service.
Sliema were reduced to 10 men three minutes from time when John Mintoff was red-carded after a late tackle on Andrew Decesare earned him a second booking.
In the dying stages, Birkirkara made it 4-1, Lattes beating Szentpeteri with a low show after being put through by Galea. Birkirkara winger Cilia was named BOV player of the match.