Birżebbuġa 2
Vittoriosa Stars 1

Birżebbuġa St Peter’s edged Vittoriosa Stars by the odd goal in three yesterday to move up to fifth place in the standings and leave the Stars in more misery.

Joseph Gerada’s team, still reeling from their disappointing 4-2 defeat to Naxxar Lions last week, were well worth their win over a Vittoriosa side who are still in search of their first win in seven matches.

In a somewhat drab first 45 minutes, Birżebbuġa managed to draw first blood on 23 minutes. Dragan Milovic saw his shot parried to a corner by goalkeeper Jean Mathias Vella. From the resulting flag-kick, Matthew Sciortino curled the ball directly into the net to give the Saints the lead.

Vittoriosa could have easily drew level on 26 minutes when Marcelo Pereira drifted past two defenders before releasing Josef Dalli who fired over from a good position.

Joe Brincat’s side continued to do all the running and on 35 minutes Josef Dalli dashed in the area and his final effort was blocked by Dennis Baldacchino.

Three minutes before the break, Vittoriosa restored equilibrium when Dalli stroke the ball home following some good work by Pereira.

On resumption, Birżebbuġa stepped up their efforts and on 51 minutes they were unlucky not to regain the lead. From a Franstijek Schneider free-kick, Milovic’s thumping header was somehow kept out by Vella and in came Bajil Emeka Onuta who blasted the ball on to a post.

Birżebbuġa’s efforts were finally rewarded on 58 minutes when Brandon Bonnici tripped substitute Ronnie Celeste in the box and Sciortino did not miss from the resultant penalty.

On 76 minutes, Celeste should have put the game to bed as after he was released by Milovic the Birżebbuġa substitute was denied by the on-rushing Vella.

Six minutes from time, Milovic tried his luck from 30 metres with the ball finishing inches over the crossbar.

Birżebbuġa: I. Casha; K. Spiteri, M. Pullicino, D. Milovic, D. Baldacchino, F. Schneider, G. Tanti, A. Dalli (R. Celeste), K. Muscat (N. Tabone), M. Sciortino, B. Onuta (B. Torov).

Vittoriosa Stars: J.M. Vella; J. Camilleri, B. Bonnici, J. Spiteri (E. Azzopardi), M. Pereira, L. Rocha Dos Santos (I. Henry), A. Spiteri, J. Dalli, R. Brincat (D. Pace), I. Kurtusic, M. Buttigieg.

Referee: Karl Frendo Cumbo.

Man of the Match: Matthew Sciortino (Birżebbuġa Stars).