Convicing Under-17's Team defeats Mqabba

by Ayrton Galea - 27th April 2015

Birkirkara FC Under-17's Team registered the second consecutive win in the APS Bank Under-17's League Section B on Sunday afternoon, when thanks to a dominant performance, they defeated Mqabba FC with a 3-0 score thanks to a brace by Gianluca Zammit, and another goal by Matthew Calleja.

The Stripes registered the third straight positive result as after they held leaders Qormi in a 2-2 draw, they defeated Cottonera United with a 2-1 score, and then went on to a comfortable win against Mqabba.

The First Half

Birkirkara opened the match on the wrong foot, as after just four minutes, Ryan Muscat who was about to face the goalkeeper in a one-versus-one situation, suffered a keen injury and was unable to continue playing. Owen Cauchi replaced the injured Muscat.

Mqabba went close to surging ahead on the thirteenth minute, from a direct free-kick which the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Fabian Aquilina, turned into a corner kick with an acrobatic save.

The Stripes reacted and they created the most dangerous action of the match on the twentieth minute. The overlaps of Fabien Lufi were creating danger down the right channel, and in one of his runs, he advanced before crossing into the box, and Gianluca Zammit was unlucky to see his header scratching past the second post.

Lufi was in action again with another good overlap three minutes from time, and he sent another cross, but Owen Cauchi had his header saved by the Mqabba goalkeeper Kurt Polidano. On the other side of the pitch, just before the half-time whistle, goalkeeper Aquilina was alert to deny the Mqabba forward with a diagonal shot.

The first half ended 0-0.

The Second Half

Birkirkara opened superior and they created a good scoring opportunity on the fifty-second minute. In a fast break-away by Nigel Borg, the Birkirkara midfielder advanced forward before releasing Gianluca Zammit on the left flank, but the Birkirkara forward fired over, from an ideal position.

However, Zammit made amends for the previous scoring opportunity squandered, just two minutes later as he put Birkirkara ahead. Gianluca won possession inside the box, and kept pressing, and he concluded with a low shot that hit past goalkeeper Polidano.

Mqabba made an instant reaction, and they almost drew level on the fifty-sixth minute, with a shot from inside the box which ended just over the bar. A minute later, a dangerous free-kick for Mqabba ended over as they increased the pressure.

The Stripes made them two ten minutes from time. It was once again Gianluca Zammit who concluded a solo-action with a low shot which was deflected and got past the surprised Mqabba goalkeeper.

Birkirkara sealed the issue with the third goal three minutes from time. Substitute Matthew Calleja had a fine shot denied with an excellent save from the goalkeeper. However, from the resulting corner, Calleja made the best of a defensive blunder and slotted home from close-range.

BIRKIRKARA: Fabian Aquilina, Nigel Borg, Zach Cassar, Roberto Curmi, Liam Reno Gatt, Fabien Lufi, Jacob Magri (75' Matthew Calleja, Neil Micallef (61' Nigel Bugeja), Ryan Muscat (6' Owen Cauchi), Jordan Sciberras, Gianluca Zammit (75' Sean Bonello).

MQABBA: Kurt Polidano, Mark Baldacchino, Kyle Barbara, Andre Farrugia, David Cassar, Emerson Zammit, Enoch Seycheel, Jacopo Mentosa, Ian Pace, Ryan Farrugia, Christian Galea.

Scorers: 54', 70' Gianluca Zammit, 77' Matthew Calleja.

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