Birkirkara 2
Comvalius 33; Cilia 75
Sliema Wanderers 1
Woods 87
Birkirkara underlined their credentials as genuine title contenders when they opened their Championship Pool campaign yesterday with a precious victory over Sliema Wanderers.
This was a polished performance from the Stripes. The score might indicate a close affair but in reality Birkirkara dictated the run of play for most of the match, their effective pressing game giving little chance for the Wanderers to create openings.
Sylvano Comvalius rammed home a well-taken opener that put the Stripes on their way before Trevor Cilia sealed his man-of-the-match display with a second goal 15 minutes from time.
Ivan Woods halved Sliema's deficit late on but the damage had already been done and Mark Marlow has some serious work to do if he wants his team back in the title race.
Sliema had the first shot on target on 19 minutes when Julio Alcorse recovered possession before quickly putting Pedrinho through but the Brazilian's shot was deviated to a corner by goalkeeper Jorge Mora.
Birkirkara were seeing more of the ball and their response arrived on 27 minutes when Cilia sprinted past his marker before sending an inviting ball towards Michael Galea who headed just wide.
Cilia almost punished Sliema two minutes later when he intercepted Lucian Dronca's back pass but the winger was blocked by Sliema keeper Simon Agius.
Birkirkara's persistence finally paid off on 33 minutes. The Stripes were awarded a free-kick on the right. Shaun Bajada did well to release Comvalius on the edge of the box and the Dutch forward unleashed a powerful grounder that had the better of Agius.
Sliema tried to hit back but for all their efforts they never really threatened the well-drilled Birkirkara defence.
Marlow's men looked more lively after the change of ends though. Pedrinho's throughball put Alcorse face to face with Mora but the Argentine miscued his shot.
The Blues were then awarded a free-kick from just outside the box but Pedrinho's drive flashed wide.
On 61 minutes, Mora almost gifted Sliema an equaliser when he fumbled Pedrinho's free-kick but the keeper was spared his blushes by the reliable Branko Nisevic.
Birkirkara never lost composure and 18 minutes from time they almost doubled their lead. Comvalius fed Bajada who unleashed a powerful drive that was somehow kept out by Agius with the aid of the upright.
That, however, was the prelude of what was to come as on 75 minutes Paul Fenech's stinging shot was parried by Agius and from the rebound Cilia fired the ball home.
Fenech should have killed off Sliema's hopes but dallied his conclusion following a perfect Bajada service.
Sliema had the ball in the net when Dronca's overhead kick beat Mora but the 'goal' was disallowed for offside. However, the Wanderers did manage to pull one back three minutes from time when Woods beat Mora with a firm shot from just outside the box.
In stoppage time, Cilia could have made Birkirkara's victory more pronounced but was unable to beat Agius following a quick break.
Birkirkara: J. Mora-6, T. Paris-6.5 ('66 A. Buhagiar-6), R. Muscat-7, N. Vukanac-6.5 ('76 J. Zerafa), S. Bajada-6.5, B. Nisevic-6, C. Mamo-6, T. Cilia-7.5, P. Fenech-7, M. Galea-6.5, S. Comvalius-6.5 ('83 A. Tabone).
Sliema Wanderers: S. Agius-6.5, I. Azzopardi-6, J. Mifsud-5.5, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5, C. Gatt Baldacchino-5, I. Woods-6.5, L. Dronca-6, J. Alcorse-4.5, Pedrinho-6 ('90 R. Attard), J. Mintoff-5.5 ('76 N. Turner), C. Failla-5 ('83 A. Mercieca).
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Yellow cards: Woods, Muscat, Fenech, Mintoff, Nisevic, Mora, Mamo, Mifsud, Mifsud Triganza.
BOV Player of the match: Trevor Cilia (Birkirkara).