BIRKIRKARA-7, MOSTA-1
Birkirkara are hitting top form at the right time.
After their 1-0 win over Hibs, the Stripes this evening capitalised on Valletta's slip-up to Tarxien after crushing Mosta in a one-sided encounter.
With this win, Birkirkara have moved one point clear of Valletta to take a psychological edge before the two rivals meet on Sunday.
Despite dominating the first half, Birkirkara only had a one-goal advantage to show for their efforts.
They took an early lead when Nikola Vukanac headed home from Jhonnattann's free-kick after just four minutes.
Justin Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper, then saved a Danial Mitev grounder from the distance but the Stripes remained in command,.
They should have extended their lead on 27 minutes when Alejandro Mendoza nodded Jhonnattann's freekick towards the far post but Mifsud Triganza's header was pushed away for a corner by Farrugia.
Mifsud Triganza had a great chance to atone when he found himself in space inside the Mosta box but his grounder was again parried away by Farrugia.
Four minutes past the half-hour, Mosta equalised against the run of play. Running on to Ryan Grech's through-pass, Mitev got behind the Birkirkara defence and advanced into the box before firing past Haber.
Birkirkara threatened to regain their lead almost immediately but Jhonnattann blasted over following a good run by Joseph Zerafa.
Stung into action by Mosta's equaliser, Birkirkara piled on the pressure. Farrugia saved Mifsud Triganza's volley and Mosta defender Carlos Campagnoli also denied the Birkirkara striker when blocking his shot.
A minute from half-time, Vukanac's header hit a post from Jhonnattann's corner before Mosta cleared the danger. But, from the ensuing corner, again taken by Jhonnattann, Mosta failed to hook the ball out of their box and Pereira pounced to head past Farrugia.
Hardly 32 seconds from the start of the second half had passed when Birkirkara went 3-1 up. Mifsud Triganza advanced unchallenged on the right and his fine cross was headed in by Jhonnattann.
Mosta's woes increased when Birkirkara made it 4-1 four minutes into the second. This time it was Herrera who sped forward on the right before sending a cross into the box and Jhonnattann, again left completely unmarked, tapped home.
The score became 5-1 on 57 minutes when Zerafa swapped passes with Jhonnattann before rifling a low shot past Farrugia.
The sixth goal arrived 21 minutes from time when Rowen Muscat, who just come on as a substitute, beat Farrugia with a thunderous shot from the distance.
Birkirkara scored their seventh three minutes from time through substitute Joselito.
Jhonnattann was named BOV player of the match.