Birkirkara extend their lead to seven points

Birkirkara - 3, Sliema - 0

Birkirkara strengthened their title prospects this evening after beating Sliema Wanderers 3-0 at the National Stadium this evening.

A Trevor Cilia brace and an early headed goal by defender Nikola Vukanac guided Birkirkara to a resounding success that lifts them seven points clear of Valletta at the top, with the latter having a game in hand. Birkirkara seized the lead after 15 minutes.

George Mallia’s corner from the left arced dangerously towards the neat post where Birkirkara defender Nikola Vukanac rose high to head the ball into the Sliema net. The Stripes’ hopes of a second goal grew when Trevor Cilia nipped behind the Sliema defenders as he ran onto a long pass but the winger fired wide. Sliema took some time to get to grips with Birkirkara’s opener but they gradually regained the self-belief to attack their opponents.

Ryan Fenech produced a piledriver that sailed over and Alex Muscat had a low shot saved by Jorge Mora. At the other end, Sliema goalkeeper Simon Agius pushed Sylvano Comvalius’s free-kick over the bar.

Sliema’s hopes of forcing their way into contention vanished when Birkirkara doubled their lead six minutes into the second half. Profiting from a mistake by Sliema defender Josef Mifsud, Cilia ran clear but his initial drive was parried away by Agius but the ball glanced off the Birkirkara winger and sailed into the net.

The Stripes killed off their opponents with a third goal on 60 minutes, Cilia again punishing more sloppy defending by Sliema as he prodded home from close range after Agius had pushed away a strong effort from George Mallia.

Cilia was named BOV player of the match.