Stripes beat Mosta with a goal in each half

by Ayrton Galea - 23rd September 2016

Birkirkara FC returned to winning ways in the BOV Premier League when a goal in each half by Srdjan Dimitrov and Frank Temile gave them a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Mosta FC.

The Stripes were all-out to get back on the right track following a surprising upset against Sliema Wanderers and they got the job done by satisfactory performance that saw them enjoying an edge over their opponents for long stretches.

A wonderful curling drive by Dimitrov set the Stripes on the right track just past the half-hour mark and after holding to their one-goal lead despite the pressure from the much-improved Mosta in the second half, they sealed the victory with a goal by Temile ten minutes from time.

Coach Drazen Besek's first-eleven selection featured two changes following the defeat against Sliema Wanderers. Dejan Djordjevic started in attack off Vito Plut while Rowen Muscat was handed his first start this season as he replaced Ryan Scicluna.

The First Half

Birkirkara went close after two minutes. Andelkovic headed the ball to Jovic who continued the ball to Djordjevic who had his first attempt cleared off the goal-line. From the rebound, the same player hit wide from inside the box.

On the tenth minute, a free-kick by Dimitrov was header over by Vukanac inside the box. Moments later, Jovic's header was blocked by Bartolo while the same player was unlucky to have his header hitting the crossbar hardly a minute later.

The Stripes surged ahead on the thirty-third minute. It was a piece of skill of the technical Srdjan Dimitrov who from the left flank saw goalkeeper Bartolo out of his position and hit a splendid curling drive which surprised the Mosta goalkeeper.

Boosted by the opening goal, Birkirkara continued to push forward. A header by Jovic, following a free-kick by Dimitrov, saw his header saved by Bartolo. Moments later, the Mosta goalkeeper was alert to block a powerful shot by Zerafa.

Just before the half-time whistle, the Stripes lost a golden opportunity when following a good run by Attard, Rowen Muscat hit wide from inside the box.

The Second Half

Nine minutes inside the second half, Manuel Bartolo did well to rush out of his position to block an effort by the on-running Rowen Muscat but the rebound fell to Djordjevic who failed to hit the target from outside the box.

Mosta increased their tempo and they were unlucky not to equalise twice just past the hour mark. First, Gabriel Bezak headed the ball towards Oseghale but the Nigerian's shot smashed against the crossbar and just moments later, the same Nigerian player wasted a golden opportunity firing his shot over from an ideal position.

The Blues were enjoying superior moments but their momentum suffered a blow twenty minutes inside the second half. Adrian Caruana picked up his second yellow card following a late foul on Temile and therefore he was sent off.

Frank Temile should have done better on the seventy-sixth minute when an erratic clearance following a cross by substitute Ryan Scicluna landed at the feet of the Nigerian forward who saw his fierce first-time effort ending over.

The Nigerian striker made amendments for his previous chance lost just four minutes later when off a fine run and cross by Attard, Temile placed the ball at the back of the net past Bartolo to seal a well-deserved victory.

BIRKIRKARA: Miroslav Kopric, Gareth Sciberras (84' Steven Bonnici), Mislav Andelkovic, Srdjan Dimitrov, Dejan Djordjevic (73' Matthew Guillaumier), Nikola Vukanac, Frank Temile, Joseph Zerafa, Cain Attard, Predrag Jovic, Rowen Muscat (62' Ryan Scicluna).

MOSTA: Manuel Bartolo, Gabriel Bezak, Luca Martinelli, Dany Djoufack, Chinatu Francis Onwudinjo (57' Ricardo Adrian Martin), Kyle Frendo (70' Sheldon Vassallo), Dexter Xuereb, Martin Vlcek, Raylon Kaylon Paisley (45' Zachary Brincat), Adrian Caruana, Lucky Victor Oseghale.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace

Yellow Cards: 37' Kyle Frendo, 55' Adrian Caruana, 61' Zachary Brincat, (Mosta), 60' Predrag Jovic, 90' Srdjan Dimitrov (Birkirkara)

Scorers: 33' Srdjan Dimitrov, 80' Frank Temile (Birkirkara).

BOV Player of the Match: Gareth Sciberras.

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