Birkirkara beaten twice in friendly tournament

by Ayrton Galea - 9th October 2010

Yesterday night, Birkirkara were involved in a friendly tournament where 'The Stripes' were beaten in two matches, against Tarxien Rainbows and Hamrun Spartans. The latter won the tournament after they beat Tarxien Rainbows as well.

This was the second appearance for the Scottish trialist goalkeeper, Michael Fraser, as he played the full forty five minutes against Tarxien Rainbows and another twenty five minutes against Hamrun Spartans where in both matches he left a good impression.

Birkirkara were lacking the service of Paul Fenech, Shaun Bajada and Joseph Zerafa who were called up with the Natioal Team. Emiliano Lattes was side lined due to a minor injury.

The first match, which did not offer a good level of football, saw Birkirkara being the better side throughout the whole forty five minutes but they did not manage to score despite having several opportunities.

On the 5th minute, Fraser neutralized the first attack by Tarxien Rainbows.

A good pass by Alan Tabone on the 8th minute found Simon Zahra who tried his luck with a powerful shot but it was turned into a corner kick.

Karl Pulo had his cross shot neutralized on the 23rd minute.

On the 34th minute, Birkirkara had a golden opportunity when Michael Galea was found unmarked but his weak shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

Three minutes later, a solitary powerful shot by Trevor Cilia was turned into a corner kick.

Tarxien replied with a shot, that ended wide on the 41st minute.

The opportunity was again for Birkirkara as a cross shot by Terence Vella ended wide. With both sides failing to score, a penalty shoot out had to decide the winner.

Tarxien opened the score and Birkirkara manage to equalize thanks to a penalty taken by the captain, Michael Galea.

Tarxien failed to take the lead again as this time, the penalty ended wide. Alan Tabone scored his penalty to make it 2-1 for 'The Stripes'

Tarxien equalized while Terence Vella saw his centered penalty shot being neutralized.

Tarxien took the lead and Birkirkara missed another penalty as this time, Trevor Cilia's penalty kick hit the left post, with Tarxien Rainbows scored their last penalty to emerge as winners with a 4-2 result.

In the second match of the day, Birkirkara were less dominating and, Hamrun Spartans were the better side throughout the whole match.

Birkirkara had a shot which ended wide on the fourth minute.

Michael Fraser performed a wonderful save on the 8th minute when a powerful shot from inside the box saw the Scottish trailist goalkeeper turn the ball into a corner kick.

Another shot from Hamrun ended wide three minutes later.

Hamrun tried their luck again on the 17th minute but again the ball ended wide.

Perreira almost broke the dead lock with a powerful shot from inside the box but it ended wide.

Hamrun continued dominating the game and they almost took the lead for the second time, when a corner kick from the right was perfectly met but the ball then ended a few centimeters wide.

Finally, Hamrun Spartans notched the winner when a good cross from the right was perfectly met by one of the new Hamrun Spartans foreigners who managed to beat Manuel Bartolo.

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