Birkirkara halts Valletta's winning streak
by Ayrton Galea - 7th October 2012
Birkirkara's magnificant performance brought to an end Valletta's winning streak as the match finished with a score a 1-1.
Birkirkara produced an excellent performance and they quickly recovered from the goal suffered, by equalising thanks to Paul Fenech's close range effort. From then on, ‘The Stripes' found their feet and they were better than their opponents.
Both sets of supporters produced an entertaining battle on the stands with the Birkirkara supporters led by the Birkirkara Ultras using colourful flags, banners and hand-helds which all were used to produce a successful cerography.
Birkirkara were coming from a comfortable victory over Tarxien Rainbows with a 4-1 score, following a narrow 1-0 defeat against Sliema Wanderers in the first and only loss of the league, so far. On the other hand, Valletta were coming from a hard fought 1-0 victory over title challengers Hibernians.
Mr. Paul Zammit opted for the 4-4-2 formation with Jhonnattann Benites and Shola Shodiya in the attacking department helped by Ryan Camenzuli on the left wing. Despite scoring a hat-trick and being voted the man of the match, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was replaced with Ryan Camenzuli in the only change in the line-up from the previous match.
On the other hand, Ryan Fenech and Ian Azzopardi were missing for Valletta but they received a huge boost by the return of Richardo Da Rocha who replaced Leandro Almeida.
Jhonnattann Benites for Birkirkara and Shaun Bajada for Valletta were making their first appearance against their former teams.
The First Half
Denni Dos Santos for Valletta had the first opportunity of the match on the 5th minute with a diagonal freekick which was saved by Reuben Gauci,
Valletta kept on the attacking side and a shot from inside the area ended wide a minute later.
Reuben Gauci performed a brilliant save on the 7th minute following a shot by William Barbrosa which was turned into a corner kick.
Still Valletta on the attacking side, Valletta protested for a penalty on the 9th minute when Michael Mifsud was floored inside the box but the referee had a different opinion from the Valletta supporters.
In the first attack for Birkirkara, off a corner by Jhonnattann Benites on the 11th minute, Alejandro Mendoza's header ended wide.
A shot from outside the area by Dyson Falzon on the 21st minute for Valletta ended wide.
A direct freekick by William Barbosa ended wide on the 26th minute.
Valletta was close to open the score on the 27th minute thanks to Mifsud, but was denied by Gauci and cleared off the goal line by Nikola Vukanac. Hardly a minute later, Shola Shodiya was quick to reply for Birkirkara thanks to a solo effort which ended wide.
Valletta took the lead on the 28th minute when following a cross from the right by Gabriel Da Silva, Roderick Briffa headed past Gauci.
However the Citizens' joy was short lived as three minutes later, Birkirkara restored parity. William Barbosa lost the ball to Edward Herrera who served Paul Fenech and his diagonal shot was blocked by Manuel Bartolo, but he failed to catch. Jhonnattann Benites served Fenech who slotted home from a close range effort.
This was the turning point of the match as Birkirkara found their feet and began to play better football, keeping Valletta in their own half despite failing to create goal chances.
Michael Mifsud made a tough tackle without the ball on Nikola Vukanac on the 36th minute. The Birkirkara supporters appealed for a red card to but the referee only cautioned the Maltese National captain.
Just before the half time whistle, William Barbosa had a powerful freekick ending wide.
The first half ended in a just all-square, with Birkirkara being slightly better than their opponents especially in possession.
The Second Half
Still fresh from the half time's team talk, Birkirkara almost turned the game around on the 50th minute, when off a counter attakk, Shola Shodiya served Jhonnattann Benites whose low shot was blocked by Bartolo.
Denni Dos Santos made a fine solo action on the 53rd minute with his low shot being saved by Gauci.
Jhonnattann Benites had a direct freekick ending wide by inches on the 61st minute. Edward Herrera had a long distance shot on the 63rd minute ending over.
On the 73rd minute, a direct freekick by Ryan Camenzuli was blocked but not held by Bartolo and was then cleared by the City's defence.
In the first substitution for Birkirkara on the 74th minute, Ryan Camenzuli was replaced by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.
Manuel Bartolo performed a great save off a header by Nikola Vukanac from a corner kick on the 78th minute. Less than a minute later, Paul Fenech had a long drive effort ending over.
In the second substitution for Birkirkara on the 79th minute, Jhonnattann Benites was replaced with Joselito Dos Reis.
Denni for Valletta had a diagonal shot saved by Gauci on the 80th minute. Joselito Dos Reis replied with a shot ending over.
Zach Muscat replaced Shola Shodiya on the 88th minute in the last substitution for Birkirkara.
The full time whistle found Birkirkara moving alone to the second but still three points behind Valletta, who saw their winning streak coming to an end. The players were deservingly applauded by the Birkirkara supporters who kept supporting the players till the final whistle.
BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Edward Herrera, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat, Paul Fenech, Ryan Camenzuli (74' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Shola Shodiya (88' Zach Muscat), Jhonnattann Benites (79' Joselito Dos Reis).
VALLETTA: Manuel Bartolo, Ricardo Da Rocha, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Gabriel Da Silva (70' Leonardo Da Silva), Roderick Briffa, Dyson Falzon (37' Edmond Agius, Denni Rocha Dos Santos, William Barbrosa, Shaun Bajada, Michael Mifsud (45' Kurt Magro).
Scorers: 28' Roderick Briffa (Valletta), 31' Paul Fenech (Birkirkara).
Yellow Cards: Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara), Michael Mifsud (Valletta).
Man of the match: Shola Shodiya (Birkirkara).
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