Birkirkara Under 17's defeated

by Ayrton Galea - 17th September 2013

Birkirkara Under 17's Team gave a determined performance in the opening match of the league but it was not enough as they were defeated by San Gwann with a 3-2 score, in a match played last Saturday at the Mosta ground.

In the opening match of the league, the Stripes might consider themselves unlucky to leave empty handed despite their effort, as the team coached by Mr. Marko Glumac, showed great football which however was not enough to get something out of this match.

The First Half

The game started out intensely as both teams were trying to outplay each other in an entertaining start to the match.

Scoring opportunities were rare as both rear-guards were on top form, but it was The Stripes who managed to penetrate perfectly to take the lead mid-way through the first half. The former Valletta FC player, Clint Zammit received a good ball on the run, and he outmuscled a San Gwann defender to face the goal keeper and bury the ball with no mistake.

This was a wake up call for San Gwann, as they began to play better football and they were putting pressure on the Stripes' rear-guard. They were mostly going through their use of set pieces.

When the match was heading for the half-time break, San Gwann grabbed the deserved equalising goal. Following an excellent corner, a San Gwann player connected perfectly by a header from the far post to beat the goalkeeper and make the score level.

The half time whistle saw both teams heading towards the tunnel with a 1 - 1 score.

The Second Half

The second half continued on the same vein, as both teams went out aggressive, but this time, it was San Gwann who took an edge over their opponents.

In fact, they managed to complete to comeback to score two goals in quick succession, with the score reading 3-1.

However, the match was not over yet as the Stripes, aided by the triple substitution made by Birkirkara's Coach, Mr. Marko Glumac, had not surrendered. The move made by Coach Mr. Glumac definitely left its mark on the game as from that moment the Stripes were once again being dangerous close to the San Gwann goal.

The Stripes narrowed the gap thanks to Clint Zammit who put his name again on the score-sheet for the Stripes as the talented player managed to dribble past a San Gwann duo to place home a goal that encouraged the young Stripes the fight till the end.

However, the Stripes' efforts and their dominance in the last stages where they had several scoring opportunities were not enough as San Gwann remained strong to keep their narrow lead to defeat the Stripes with a 3-2 score.

First Eleven: Max Borg Bartolo, Roberto Curmi, Ryan Muscat, Aaron Montebello, Darren Buttigieg, Neil Zahra, Alistair Micallef, Gregory Busutill, Nigel Bugeja, Clint Zammit, Michael Zammit.

Substitutes: Zack Cassar, Fabien Lufi, Jean Claude Grech, Keith Borg, Nigel Borg, Luke Chircop, Benjamin Galea.

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