Marsaxlokk 1, Birkirkara 2

Moises Avila Perez's spectacular goal helped the Stripes to bounce back to winning ways under the watchful eyes of Paul Zammit, linked with a swift return to Birkirkara after the sacking of Patrick Curmi earlier this week.

Both teams came into the game off a destabilising week. Marsaxlokk suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Floriana while Birkirkara dismissed coach Patrick Curmi on Wednesday and put Peter Pullicino in temporary charge.

Birkirkara won a number of flag-kicks from the left where Marsaxlokk looked particularly vulnerable. On one particular occasion after 25 minutes, Trevor Cilia floated the ball into the penalty area towards Rodriguez Pereira but his header hit the side-netting.

The best opportunity of the first half fell to Obinna Obiefule, who latched on precise defence-splitting pass from Raimy on 27 minutes but his low shot was kept out at the far post by Jorge Mora.
After 41 minutes, Paul Fenech tested with a curling shot Cassar who was able to enjoy a pressure-free opening 45 minutes.

Soon after the break, an intuitive interplay on 50 minutes between Martin Deanov and Emiliano Lattes on the edge of the box put through Obiefule who was denied by a point-blank save by Mora's legs.

But seven minutes later, Birkirkara took the lead when Shodiya shifted a gear to burn past Brincat who brought him down to win a free-kick from which Pereira's perfectly-hit drive gave Cassar no chance.

Despite the setback, Marsaxlokk continued to push forward and create chances – but Obiefule was once again denied by another excellent stop from Mora on the hour stroke.

In the 70th minute, Leighton Grech delivered a cross on the move from the right flank which was low and behind Avila as he lurked near the penalty spot but the striker readjusted his position to send an acrobatic, unstoppable overhead kick past startled Marsaxlokk keeper.

The Southseasiders were stunned at being struck by such a blow. But Mora could do little about Kokavessis's well-struck drive in injury time as he gave Marsaxlokk a glimmer of hope but Birkirkara held on.