Stripes beat Gzira to register second consecutive victory

by Ayrton Galea - 5th February 2017

Birkirkara FC registered their second consecutive victory in the BOV Premier League when they defeated Gzira United with a narrow 2-1 score thanks to a goal each in the first-half by Edward Herrera and Mislav Andelkovic.

In a hard-fought match, the Stripes built a comfortable two-goal cushion in the first-half, which they dominated throughout the entire first fourty-five minutes. However, Gzira United stepped-up their tempo in the second half and they pulled one back but the Stripes held strong for the victory.

Herrera put the Stripes ahead after sixteen minutes and Andelkovic made them two just three minutes later. The Stripes could have increased the lead in the first-half when they also were denied by the woodwork.

Latest signing for the Maroons, Andrew Cohen converted a penalty for the Maroons, who were forced to play the last thirty minutes with one player less as Souleymane Diamoutene was sent off to put them back in contention. However, the score remained unchaged as the Stripes held strong.

By this victory, which continues to build their momentum, the Stripes regained their fourth-place, one point over Floriana before going head to head in next week's match. Leaders Balzan have fourty-five points, eight points over the Stripes, followed by Hibernians with two points less than Balzan.

Coach Nikola Jaros made just one change from last weekend's victory as rapid-winger Edward Herrera replaced Predrag Jovic, as the Croatian Coach fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation. Forward Gonzalo Malan recovered from a light injury but he started on the substitutes' bench.

The First Half

Birkirkara started well and they went close after four minutes. It was an excellent cross by Joseph Zerafa towards Edward Herrera who hit a powerful header that left goalkeeper Jurgen Borg stranded but his effort ended just over the bar.

Gzira United had a header ending over following a corner by their latest signing Andrew Cohen on the ninth minute while five minutes later, Miguel Alba had a powerful shot from outside the box scratching past the post.

The Stripes broke the dead-lock after sixteen minutes. Miguel Alba produced a wonderful run down the left flank that saw him outrunning his marker before sending an inch-perfect cross towards Edward Herrera who headed home from close-range.

Birkirkara doubled their lead just three minutes later. Herrera was involved in action again as he beat the offside trap and had a dangerous low cross blocked. However, the loose ball fell to Mislav Andelkovic who hit past goalkeeper Jurgen Borg with a well-placed shot.

Gzira United had a direct free-kick by Andrew Cohen saved by Bonello on the twenty-third minute while minute later, a fierce shot by Joseph Zerafa, off a fine through-ball by Alba, ended wide by inches.

The Stripes were unlucky not to make them three just past the half-hour mark. Alba served Andelkovic who hit a powerful drive that smashed against the woodwork. On the other side of the pitch, Cohen was unlucky to see his attempt ending wide from inside the box.

Four minutes from half-time, goalkeeper Borg blocked Zerafa's cross but from the rebound, Herrera fired over from an ideal position as the first-half ended with the Stripes enjoying a comfortable two-goal lead.

The Second Half

Coach Darren Abdilla introduced Zachary Scerri and Jacob Borg off Ice Abdullahi Adeshina and Andre White at the start of the second half. On the other hand, the Birkirkara Coach replaced Edward Herrera with Gonzalo Malan ten minutes inside the second half.

Gzira opened the second-half better and they went close on the fifty-seventh minute. A long ball towards Moises Avila Perez saw the latter on side as he surged forward unmarked but his shot from inside the box ended wide.

The Maroons ended playing with one player less on the hour mark. Substitute Gonzalo Malan got behind Souleymane Diamoutene who pulled the Birkirkara forward in-front of an open goal. Referee Sandro Spiteri ordered the free-kick and sent off the defender.

Birkirkara had to wait almost twenty-five minutes to have their first shot on goal in the second half. Attard's cross from the right was short-cleared and from the rebound, Andelkovic's shot was deflected into a corner.

Gzira had harsh protests twenty minutes from time for the sending off of Henry Bonello when the Birkirkara goalkeeper was adjudicated to foul the Maroons forward outside the box. However, Sandro Spiteri showed Bonello a yellow card.

Andrew Cohen stepped-up for the free-kick and his curling effort was saved by Bonello. From the resulting counter-attack, the Stripes were quick to transfer the ball forward but Dimitrov, after fine footwork, saw his shot blocked by Borg.

Gzira got back in the match seven minutes from time. Referee Sandro Spiteri adjudicated a hands-ball inside the box and ordered the penalty. From the spot, Andrew Cohen made no mistake to score his first goal with his new team.

The Maroons put everything forward in the last minutes but the Stripes held strong for another important victory.

Mislav Andelkovic was voted the BOV Player of the Match.

BIRKIRKARA: Henry Bonello, Edward Herrera (55' Gonzalo Malan), Christian Bubalovic, Gareth Sciberras, Mislav Andelkovic, Srdjan Dimitrov, Vito Plut, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa (76' Matthew Guillaumier), Miguel Alba (71' Ryan Scicluna), Cain Attard.

GZIRA UNITED: Jurgen Borg, Andre White (46' Jacob Borg), Ian Azzopardi, Souleymane Diamoutene, Andrew Cohen, Juan Carlos Corbalan, Moises Avila Perez, Louis Rene Zome, Carlos Alejandro Reyna, Antonio De Queiroz Machedo Neto, Ice Abdullahi Adeshina (46' Zachary Scerri).

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, William Debattista.
Fourth Official: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow Cards: 13' Andrew Cohen, 55' Carlos Alejandro Reyna (Gzira United), 70' Henry Bonello, 75' Gonzalo Malan (Birkirkara).

Red Cards: 61' Souleymane Diamoutene (Gzira United).

Scorers: 16' Edward Herrera, 19' Mislav Andelkovic (Birkirkara) 83' Andrew Cohen (Gzira United).

BOV Player of the Match: Mislav Andelkovic (Birkirkara).

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