Stripes clinch Gozo Cup after 2-0 win over Hibs

Birkirkara won the inaugural Gozo Cup yesterday after upstaging fellow Premier League side Hibs 2-0.

The first half of yesterday's final, played at the Gozo Stadium, ended goalless but both sides had a good opportunity to open the scoring.

On 24 minutes, Birkirkara goalkeeper Jorge Mora sprinted out of goal to halt the run of the advancing Miguel Lopes de Pina, scorer of Hibs' goals in the 2-1 defeat of Gozo XI in the semi-finals. The ball was deflected into the path of Ben Camilleri who fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

The Stripes, who downed Valletta 1-0 in their opening match of this friendly tournament on Friday, went close to breaking the stalemate eight minutes from the break when Shaun Bajada's shot came off the post.

Karl Pulo fired Birkirkara ahead two minutes into the second half, guiding the ball home from close range after receiving an inviting cross from Bajada.

Four minutes later, Adrian Pulis had the ball in the net for Hibs but the 'goal' was disallowed as the left-back was in an offside position.

Birkirkara sealed the issue seven minutes from time when midfielder Paul Fenech scored their second goal after being put through by Bajada.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said presented the winners' trophy to Gozitan-born Bajada, Birkirkara's stand-in captain.

Yesterday's final was preceded by the third-place match between Valletta and Gozo XI. A youthful Valletta team ended their Gozo retreat on a high note after edging the 'home' selection 3-2. Irish striker Declan O'Brien hit a double for the Citizens, the second from a 36th-minute penalty. Neil Chircop scored Valletta's third goal two minutes into the second half.

Uchenna Anywanyu, who had cancelled out O'Brien's early opener on 15 minutes, was on target again when converting a penalty seven minutes from the end.