Birkirkara FC Vs. Hibernians FC - Match Report

by Clayton Schembri - 14th December 2020

Birkirkara FC returned to winning ways in the BOV Premier League, when yesterday they defeated Hibernians FC with a 1-0 score in a hard-fought encounter at the National Stadium, to strengthen their challenge for a top-four finish.

Coach Andre Paus made one change from the last outing against Balzan FC as Reginald Alidor replaced Roderick Briffa with the staring eleven.

Birkirkara went close to score their first goal on the 18th minute, when Luke Montebello jumped above his marker, but his header finished just over following a free kick from Caio Prado.

The Stripes managed to take the lead on the 26th minute, when Ferdinando Apap handled the ball after a cross-shot by Cain Attard with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Luke Montebello stepped up and his shot was blocked by Matthew Calleja Cremona but off the rebound, Claudio Bonanni placed the ball at the back of the net.

Birkirkara had the opportunity to double the score on the 48th minute when Reginald Alidor picked Yannick Yankam inside the area, but the midfielder fired over.

The Stripes went close again to double their lead ten minutes later, when Caio played Montebello clear and the lanky striker turned past Calleja Cremona, but his shot was deflected onto the post by the sliding Leandro Almeida who avoided a certain goal.

Hibernians tried to step up the pressure in search of an equaliser but for all their pressure they struggle to create scoring opportunities.
The Stripes fully deserved the points as they showed the better ideas. The win enabled The Stripes to climb seventh in the standings on 17 points.

After a solid and an excellent performance, Caio Prado was voted the BOV player of the match.

BIRKIRKARA: Alesandro Guarnone, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam, Luke Montebello (Paul Mbong 77), Kurt Zammit, Reginald Mbu Alidor, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni, Caio Prado (Francesco Verde 90), Oscar Carniello.
Coach: André Paus

HIBERNIANS: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Ferdinando Apap, Leandro Almeida (Zachary Grech 84), Ayrton Attard, Jake Grech (Dunstan Vella 70), Bjorn Kristensen, Gabriel Izquier Artiles, Shola Shodiya Haruna (Jurgen Degabriele 53), Andrei Agius, Jose Wilskon Teixeira (Rundell Renold Winchester 69), Karolis Laukzemis.
Coach: Stefano Sanderra

Referee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Jurgen Spiteri
Fourth Official: Emanuel Grech
Yellow Cards: J. Wilkson Teixeira, B. Kristensen, J. Grech, A. Agius, D. Vella (H), Y. Yankam (B)
BOV Player of the Match: Caio Prado

Photo by Joe Borg

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