Birkirkara 4
Z. Muscat 14, 66; Fenech 62; Scicluna 85;
Balzan 1
Focsa 45;
Slowly but surely, Birkirkara are recapturing their sparkle.
Their encounter with the erstwhile high-flying Balzan was another litmus test for the Stripes as their neighbours had dictated the pace at the top before succumbing to their first defeat against Floriana in their previous outing.
Set out in a 3-4-1-2 formation by Italian coach Giovanni Tedesco, the Stripes looked more compact and more vibrant in attack as they tore Balzan’s makeshift defence apart.
The absence of defender Elkin Serrano Valero and midfielder Edison Bilbao Zarate was always going to hamper Balzan but their defending yesterday was abysmal, especially in set-pieces, twice allowing Birkirkara defender Zach Muscat to sneak in at the far post and score with close-range flicks as Tedesco’s men ran riot in the second half.
But it was not only in defence where Balzan came up short as they were overrun in midfield where the likes of Paul Fenech and Gareth Sciberras were composed figures while Fabrizio Miccoli’s excellent delivery was an additional weapon for Birkirkara.
While Birkirkara have now moved on top of the standings alongside Valletta on 21 points, the latter have suffered back-to-back defeats.
Tedesco opted for three at the back with Joseph Zerafa and Ryan Camenzuli on the flanks. There was no place for Brazilian striker Liliu as Vito Plut got the nod to flank Miccoli up front.
It took Balzan striker Alfred Effiong only three minutes to provide a reminder of his attacking prowess and speed. Fastening on to a long pass, Effiong accelerated towards the by-line before cutting back but his curling drive cannoned off the upright. Micallef was first to the ball but he was offside.
Effiong partnered Aleksandar Vujacic up front with Micallef behind in Oliver Spiteri’s 3-4-1-2 formation.
Birkirkara were quick to respond. Zerafa roared forward on the left before laying the ball back to Sciberras who unleashed a first-time shot that was parried away by Christian Cassar, the Balzan goalkeeper.
Birkirkara drew first blood on 14 minutes. Luke Sciberras gave away a free-kick wide on the right for impeding the advancing Camenzuli and Miccoli directed a menacing set-piece cross into the box. Amid the ensuing melee, Zach Muscat swooped at the far post to flick the ball into the net.
Muscat’s goal will have felt like a hammer blow for Balzan. Their reaction only produced a couple of vertical balls aimed at Effiong and Vujacic as Birkirkara bossed the midfield.
Balzan were looking vulnerable at the back. This was evident on 25 minutes when their failure to clear an innocuous cross created a dangerous situation as Fenech guided the ball to Plut who closed in on goal but Cassar dashed off the line to block the Slovenian’s effort.
The ease with which Birkirkara were piercing the Balzan defence will have concerned Spiteri.
On the half-hour, Camenzuli drifted infield from the right before releasing Plut who ghosted past two defenders but his low strike was stopped by Cassar.
The game grew increasingly physical as the first half moved on with both teams guilty of a series of rash tackles.
On the brink of half-time, Balzan were back on level terms.
Justin Grioli’s low cross from a right-wing free-kick spread panic in the Birkirkara box as the ball was deflected to defender Clive Brincat whose close-range grounder was beaten away by Haber but Maxim Focsa was on hand to poke home.
Spiteri was forced into his first substitution as Micallef limped off injured. He was replaced by Godwin Mensha.
Left-back Steve Bezzina rescued Balzan from a potentially dangerous situation as he slid in to ward off Plut’s grounder.
Cassar needed two attempts to tame Miccoli’s free-kick as Birkir-kara began to exert more pressure.
On the hour, Miccoli darted between two defenders to collect Mauricio Mazzetti’s pass but Focsa dispossessed the Italian.
The danger refused to go away as Balzan struggled to cope with the pressure. Cassar dived to his right to keep out Fenech’s floating effort but, on 62 minutes, the Malta midfielder rifled the ball home from an angle after being served by Plut with the Balzan defence all at sea.
Things got worse for Balzan as, on 66 minutes, the Stripes extended their lead. Miccoli, once again, was the provider as his well-struck cross, from a free-kick, landed in the six-yard box and Zach Muscat again nipped in to beat Cassar.
Balzan were rattled. It took them some time to muster a reaction but had to wait until the 77th minute to fashion a chance when Grioli lifted his free-kick over the bar.
With five minutes left, Birkirkara applied the killer blow thanks to substitute Ryan Scicluna who again profited from some hesitant defending to spear the ball into the net from Liliu’s cross.
In stoppage time, Cassar neutralised attempts by Camenzuli and substitute Frank Temile.
Birkirkara
J. Haber-6, Z. Muscat-7.5, N. Vukanac-6.5, M. Mazzetti-6.5, J. Zerafa-6.5, R. Camenzuli-7, G. Sciberras-6.5 (79 R. Scicluna), P. Fenech-7.5, R. Muscat-7, F. Miccoli-7 (83 F. Temile), V. Plut-6 (68 Liliu-6).
Balzan
C. Cassar-6, D. Grima-5, M. Focsa-5 (80 R. Darmanin), S. Bezzina-5.5, L. Micallef-6 (50 G. Mensha, 73 T. Agius), C. Brincat-4, A. Effiong-5.5, S. Arab-4, L. Sciberras-5, A. Vujacic-4, J. Grioli-5.5.
Referee: Philip Farrugia.
Yellow cards: Micallef; Fenech; Effiong; Vujacic.
BOV player of the match: Zach Muscat (Birkirkara).
Playing today (Tedesco Stadium)
Qormi vs Tarxien - 6pm
Mosta vs Valletta - 8.15pm
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Birkirkara | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 26 | 10 | 21 |
| Valletta | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 7 | 21 |
| Balzan | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 9 | 20 |
| Floriana | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 11 | 19 |
| Hibernians | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 12 | 19 |
| Mosta | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 16 |
| Tarxien | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 15 |
| Sliema | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 14 |
| Pembroke | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 16 | 22 | 10 |
| Naxxar Lions | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 27 | 6 |
| Qormi | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 4 |
| St Andrew’s | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 26 | 0 |