Under-17's Team share the spoils with Kirkop

by Ayrton Galea - 8th December 2014

Birkirkara FC earned a point in the second match of the APS Under-17's League Section B when a goal by Gianluca Zammit cancelled Kirkop United's first-half goal to share the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw.

In a match of two halves, which saw the first forty minutes shaded by Kirkop while the second half saw the Stripes having an edge over their opponents, both teams battled for a deserved 1-1 draw. For the Stripes, this was the first draw after beating Pembroke Athleta in the opening match. On the other hand, for Kirkop this was the second draw after holding Qormi in a 1-1 draw.

The First Half

There was a slow start to the match but it was Kirkop United that had the first scoring opportunity on the fifth minute. Following a free-kick from the right, a Kirkop forward saw his strike parried by the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Fabian Aquilina.

Kirkop continued to produce the best attacking ideas and they threatened twice thanks to Kirsten Farrugia, when first he had a shot from distance parried by Aquilina and minute later, the same player had an acrobatic gesture deflected into a corner kick.

The Stripes had their first scoring attempt on the twentieth minute mark. Following a short-cleared corner kick by the Kirkop's rear-guard, Nigel Bugeja had a fierce strike from the edge of the box ending over.

Birkirkara began to settle down and threaten for the opening goal. On the twenty-second minute, Max Borg Bartolo had a direct free-kick saved by the Kirkop goalkeeper, Emman Grech. Two minutes later, Kirkop replied by a direct free-kick of Andre Cutajar which was easily parried by Aquilina.

One of the most effective players for the Stripes in the first half-hour, Ryan Muscat tried his luck with a powerful strike from outside the box but his shot ended over the bar. Two minutes later, the same player had a free-kick ending over.

Kirkop surged ahead on the thirty-fifth minute. Following a free-kick from the left, Matthew Chetcuti rose high to hit a powerful header past the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

With little time to make any sort of reaction, the first forty minutes found the Stripes chasing Kirkop United who were enjoying a narrow a 1-0 lead.

The Second Half

The Stripes came out with all guns blazing and levelled matters five minutes inside the second half. Ryan Muscat served Gianluca Zammit who unleashed a superb low strike that surprised the helpless goalkeeper to equalise for the Stripes.

The goal lifted the Stripes' spirit who began to show the best ideas on the pitch. On the forty-eight minute, Jordan Sciberras had a shot from distance ending wide, after being served by Muscat. This was Sciberras' last action as on the fifty-sixth minute, in the first substitution by Coach Precious Monye, he was substituted by Shaun Xuereb.

Twenty minutes into the second half, on the hour mark, Neil Cutajar had a dangerous cross-shot, aided by the wind parried by the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

In Birkirkara's second substitution on the sixty-first minute, Matthew Calleja was replaced by Nigel Borg.

The match continued to step up its level as both teams searched for the winning goal. First it was Birkirkara that threatened when Gianluca Zammit had a low free-kick ending wide on the sixty-third minute. Hardly a minute later, Kirkop replied with a shot from distance which was saved by the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

Nigel Bugeja had a solo-action concluded with a powerful shot that ended wide. Two minutes from time, Ryan Muscat almost scored a dramatic goal when in a solo action he dribbled two players before he drifted inside the box but his shot was saved.

The referee's full-time whistle found both teams with something to show for their efforts as they battled it out in a deserved 1-1 draw. Birkirkara U17 will be involved in their next match next Sunday when they take on Qormi FC.

BIRKIRKARA: Fabian Aquilina, Max Borg Bartolo, Nigel Bugeja, Matthew Calleja (61' Nigel Borg), Zach Cassar, Roberto Curmi, Fabien Lufi, Jacob Magri, Ryan Muscat, Jordan Sciberras (46' Shaun Xuereb), Gianluca Zammit.

KIRKOP: Emman Grech, Kris Farrugia, Matthew Chetcuti, Darren Darmanin, Kirsten Farrugia, Kursten Bugeja , Karsten Agius, Kurt Portelli, Andre Cutajar, Gianpiero Tozzolino, Glenn Camilleri.

Yellow Cards: 37' Kurt Portelli, 62' Darren Darmanin (Kirkop)

Scorers:4 45' Gianluca Zammit (Birkirkara), 35' Matthew Chetcuti (Kirkop)

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