Two first-half goals down Spartans

Ħamrun Spartans 0
Birkirkara 2
Bajada 33; Galea 45

Birkirkara scored two goals late in the first half yesterday to break down the resistance of Ħamrun Spartans in an entertaining match at the National Stadium.

It was far from straightforward for the Stripes who took too long to assert their dominance after the Reds had produced a strong fight in the opening 45 minutes. The Stripes put away their first two scoring opportunities in the game to bag another victory that lifted them into second place, just two points behind leaders Qormi.

Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit effected two changes from the team that beat Tarxien Rainbows 5-1 last week as Joseph Zerafa and Thomas Paris were handed a start ahead of Alan Tabone and Angus Buhagiar.

Ħamrun coach Steve D'Amato was without two key midfielders as Diego Cucciardi served a one-match ban while Jonathan Holland failed to recover from an injury suffered against Dingli last week. Gaetan Spiteri was back from suspension and Mark Barbara was also drafted in the initial line-up. Timothy Fleri Soler filled the right-back role vacated by the injured Mark Anthony Bonnici.

The Spartans were the more enterprising side early on as they pressed forward from all corners of the pitch, giving little time for the Stripes to settle down.

Joao Mawete had the first opportunity of the match when he was picked by Spiteri just outside the area. His shot was pushed away by Jorge Mora.

The Spartans threatened again soon after when Barbara did well to win possession just outside Mora's box but his grounder finished wide.

Birkirkara's response arrived on 14 minutes but Paris's speculative shot never troubled Ivan Casha, the Ħamrun goalkeeper.

At the other end, Mora came to Birkirkara's rescue when he charged out of goal to block Pereira, after the Brazilian had been put through by Spiteri.

The Spartans were on top and Rupert Mangion was unlucky to see his effort hit the post before finishing wide.

The Stripes looked short of ideas upfront with Trevor Cilia their only source of danger. However, Zammit's team still managed to break the stalemate 12 minutes from half-time when Sylvano Comvalius's cross was chested down by Michael Galea into the path of Shaun Bajada whose stinging drive gave Casha no chance.

Stung by this setback the Spartans tried to regroup and push more men forward but it was Birkirkara who scored again just before half-time. Paul Fenech picked Michael Galea inside the Spartans box and the wily forward had little difficulty firing the ball past Casha.

There seemed to be more vigour in the Birkirkara players as the second half got underway. Bajada picked Nikola Vukanac in the six-yard box but the Serbian's header was punched away by the Ħamrun keeper.

Bajada threatened again on 55 minutes when he was put through by Comvalius but he totally miscued his shot with only Casha to beat.

Ħamrun lost their plot and three minutes later Cilia picked Galea inside the Spartans' half. The latter quickly turned the ball into the path of Rowen Muscat whose rising shot flew over.

On 68 minutes, Casha had to be on the alert to push away Comvalius's inswinger from a free-kick.

Trailing by two goals, the Spartans desperately needed a goal to re-open the match. So, coach D'Amato withdrew the tiring Barbara and roped in Lee James Agius as he looked to add some energy to his team's midfield.

However, Birkirkara continued to run the show as they easily administered their two-goal lead to extend their unbeaten run to five matches and keep their title aspirations on track.

Ħamrun Spartans
I. Casha-5, R. Fenech-6.5, R. Mangion-6, M. Micallef-6, M. Barbara-4.5 ('75 L. J. Agius), M. Pereira-6, G. Spiteri-6, M. Hrubsa-5.5, T. Fleri Soler-5.5 ('64 M. Mifsud-6), J. Mawete-5, C. Camoin-5.5.

Birkirkara
J. Mora-6.5, T. Cilia-7 ('83 K. Pulo), N. Vukanac-6, B. Nisevic-6, S. Bajada-7.5 ('79 A. Tabone), R. Muscat-6, P. Fenech-6.5, T. Paris-6, J. Zerafa-6, M. Galea-7 ('90 A. Scicluna), S. Comvalius-5.5.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Fenech, Bajada.

BOV player of the match: Shaun Bajada (Birkirkara).