Birkirkara easily defeat Mgarr in friendly match
by Ayrton Galea - 7th September 2012
In a friendly match played yesterday evening, Birkirkara easily defeated the 2nd division side Mgarr with a very comfortable 6-0 score.
It was a good preparation for the upcoming difficult match against Floriana where Mr. Zammit made several experiments with the team.
The match was dominated as one could expect by Birkirkara although Mgarr gave a solid performance, especially their goalkeeper. However, following a solitary goal in the first half, Birkirkara managed to score five goals in the second half.
Birkirkara had Joselito Dos Reis still missing following the injury suffered in the match against Balzan Youths. Godwin McKay made his first appearance as he was selected with the starting eleven. Reuben Gauci, Paul Fenech and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza were available for selection as two days ago they were dropped from the National Team.
Birkirkara began with their typical 4-3-3 formation. Karl Magri began as the goalkeeper, Godwin McKay and Joseph Zerafa patrolled the side backs while Nikola Vukanac and Ian Schembri as central backs. Paul Fenech, Alejandro Mendoza and Fabian Zammit formed the midfield department while Shola Shodiya, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Jhonnattann Benites composed the attack.
The match was played with forty minutes in each half instead the traditional forty-five minutes.
The First Half
Right from the kick off, Birkirkara took a ball in the Mgarr's defence and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza hit home from close range.
Paul Fenech had a powerful shot from inside the box temporarily saved by the goalkeeper on the 7th minute and then cleared into safety.
Paul Fenech was denied a minute later, when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza sent a low cross to Shola Shodiya who served Paul Fenech and his shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Mgarr were unlucky not to equalise on the 9th minute when from a great shot from outside the box the ball hit the crossbar.
A diagonal free-kick by Mgarr on the 13th minute was easily saved by Magri.
A long distance shot by Paul Fenech ended over on the 17th minute.
Joseph Zerafa was unlucky not to double the lead on the 20th minute when his diagonal shot scratched past the left post, following being served by Shola Shodiya.
The Mgarr goalkeeper made another brilliant save on the 21st minute. Following a perfect pass towards Jhonnattann Benites, the latter's powerful shot was well saved by the goalkeeper in two attempts.
Jhonnattann Benites had a fine shot from inside the box ending wide on the 25th minute after being served by Shola Shodiya.
Karl Magri performed a great save throwing the ball into a corner-kick following a long distance shot on the 26th minute,
Paul Fenech headed wide a cross from Shola Shodiya on the 27th minute.
Birkirkara made a fine combination on the half hour mark from a free-kick taken by Triganza, serving Jhonnattann Benites who passed to Shodiya and his shot ended wide,
A powerful shot by Shola Shodiya on the 32nd minute ended wide.
The first half ended with Birkirkara having a narrow 1-0 lead.
The Second Half
Reuben Gauci and David Spiteri replaced Karl Magri and Fabian Zammit repectively in the half time interval.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza scored the second goal once again in less than a minute when he beat the goalkeeper with a long distance shot.
A long distance shot for Mgarr on the 43th minute was easily saved by Reuben Gauci.
Birkirkara almost scored their third goal on the 49th minute when Godwin McKay sent a perfect low cross which was met by Jhonattann Da Conceicao but his effort ended wide.
Jhonnattann Benites was in action once again on the 45th minute connecting from a cross from the left but his effort caused no danger.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza sent a fine through ball towards Jhonnattann Benites who saw his diagonal shot ending over on the 48th minute.
A long distance shot for Mgarr on the 51th minute ended over.
Birkirkara made the third substitution on the 54th minute when McCalister Clinch replaced Joseph Zerafa,
Birkirkara scored the third goal on the 56th minute when Godwin McKay connected well from a low cross from the right.
In the fourth substitution for Birkirkara on the 56th minute when Andre Cassar replaced Ian Schembri.
Jhonnattann Benites was unlucky not to increase the lead on the 62nd minute. Following a solo action, his shot scratched past the post.
A shot from outside the box by Jhonnattann Benites ended over on the 65th minute.
A powerful shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was blocked on the 67th minute.
Jhonnattann Benites was not denied on the 69th minute, when from a solo action he beat the goalkeeper with a powerful shot.
A powerful first time effort by Paul Fenech on the 70th minute ended over.
Birkirkara made them five on the 71st minute when McCalister Clinch made a very fine solo action and sent a low cross to Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who had no problem tapping home to score the hat trick goal on the 72nd minute.
Five became six one minute later when Shola Shodiya served David Spiteri whose powerful diagonal shot beat the goalkeeper on the 73rd minute.
Reuben Gauci saved from a short distance free-kick on the 75th minute. Two minutes later Reuben was in action once again saving a diagonal shot from the right.
The full time 80th minute whistle found Birkirkara beating Mgarr with a comfortable 6-0 score.
BIRKIRKARA: Karl Magri (45' Reuben Gauci), Godwin McKay, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Ian Schembri (61' Andre Cassar), Joseph Zerafa (59' McCalister Clinch), Fabian Zammit (45' David Spiteri), Paul Fenech, Jhonnattann Benites, Shola Shodiya, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza,
Scorers: 0' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, 45' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, 61' Godwin McKay, 74' Jhonnattann Benites, 77' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza. 78' David Spiteri.
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